'They disrespected Test cricket' - Michael Vaughan condemns England after Oval drubbing

Things were panning out well for England in the Test series against Sri Lanka. They had won the series 2-0 and the third Test came as a big blow subduing the joy of the previous two victories. Many widely criticised the hosts ‘Bazball’ approach, but they would never have thought that the latest would be from their revered countryman.

In the final Test at Oval, England were drawn back to dust by Sri Lanka from 261 for 3 to ceding the innings at 325. They were outclassed in the second innings and teetering at 82 for 7 in the second innings at one point. Chasing a gettable target of 218 runs with conducive weather conditions, the visitors won by eight wickets on Day 5. Former England skipper, Michael Vaughan accused the England team of "disrespecting Test cricket.”

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“They disrespected Test cricket and disrespected Sri Lanka by being over-aggressive with the bat and their field placings. England have made a habit of becoming complacent after a good period and I hope it serves as a wake-up call. It was all a bit flimsy, cocky even. They took the mickey out of the game. The answer in Test cricket’s hottest moments cannot always be attack, attack, attack,” said Vaughan as quoted by Mirror.

I don't think it was complacency at all: Pope 

England has a lethal bowling attack with the likes of Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, and Shoaib Bashir. But the Three Lions could not contain the Sri Lanka opener, Pathum Nissanka, who was on song scoring an unbeaten 127 off 124 balls. The Lankan Lions took just 40.3 overs to reach the target and England captain, Ollie Pope, ruled out the ‘complacency’ aspect in the team. 

"I don't think it was complacency at all. It's been a long summer, but that's nothing to do with the fact we lost this game. We still came to play with the same intentions, but this game, for some reason, it didn't quite come off. We didn't get enough runs after having a first-innings lead and I'd probably put it down to that,” said Pope.