Former England captain Michael Vaughan has launched a scathing attack on the team’s performance in the third Test against Sri Lanka, accusing them of disrespecting the game and their opponents.
England suffered a stunning eight-wicket defeat at The Oval on Monday, handing Sri Lanka their first Test victory on English soil in over a decade. Vaughan believes the team’s over-aggressive approach was a major factor in their downfall.
“I felt that they disrespected Test cricket and disrespected Sri Lanka in the third Test by being over-aggressive with both bat and in their field placings,” Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
“England have made a bit of a habit of becoming a bit complacent after a good period, I think of the start of the Ashes, or earlier this year in Rajkot and I hope it serves as a wake-up call for the tougher Tests that lie in wait in 2025.”
Vaughan also criticized England’s decision to abandon their usual “Bazball” style of play, which had brought them success in the first two Tests of the series.
“There is no way they will get away with playing like this against India or Australia,” Vaughan said.
Sri Lanka’s victory was inspired by a superb unbeaten century from Pathum Nissanka, who guided his team to their target of 219 with ease. Angelo Mathews also played a key role, contributing an unbeaten 32 in an unbroken stand of 111 with Nissanka.
The win gave Sri Lanka just their fourth Test victory in England and first since 2014. England, however, still managed to win the series 2-1 after victories at Old Trafford and Lord’s.
Despite the series win, Vaughan believes England’s performance in the third Test is a cause for concern.
“This is not the kind of cricket that will help England win matches against tough oppositions like Australia and India,” he said.
