ENG vs AUS: Michael Vaughan burns England Cricket Team after loss to Sri Lanka, labels them Cocky

Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized Ollie Pope and the team after their loss against Sri Lanka in the third and final Test. Michael Vaughan said that England became complacent and overconfident after five consecutive Test wins, including three against the West Indies, in the summer.

The England team started the English summer with a clean sweep over the West Indies in the three-match Test series.

They continued their dominance in the Test series against Sri Lanka by winning the first two matches. However, the home team was stunned by Sri Lanka in the final match at the Oval.

They Disrespected Test Cricket - Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan showcased over-aggressiveness with both their batting and field placements in the third Test against Sri Lanka, describing it as disrespect for Test cricket and Sri Lanka. Vaughan warned that this approach won't work against strong opponents like India or Australia in the future.

"I felt that they disrespected Test cricket, and disrespected Sri Lanka in the third Test by being over-aggressive with both the bat and in their field placings," Vaughan wrote in his column for the Telegraph.

"England have made 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. There is no way they will get away with playing like this against India or Australia," he added.

England suffered a middle-order collapse during their first innings. The home team was bowled out for 325 runs despite being in a strong position at 261/3.

Skipper Ollie Pope top-scored for England with 154 runs off 156 balls. They took a 62-run first-inning lead after dismissing Sri Lanka for 263.

England restricted Sri Lanka to 93-5, but Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva added a 127-run stand for the sixth wicket.

England was bowled out for 156 runs in their second innings. Apart from Jamie Smith and (67 off 50) Dan Lawrence (35), no other English batter crossed the 20-run mark.

You Should Be Desperate For It - Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan advised England to maintain their love of winning Test matches. The former England cricketer said that Test cricketers should be desperate for consistent success.

"I would really encourage England never to lose the love of winning. Sitting in the dressing room after a Test win, whether it is in the Ashes away or against an average West Indies side or Sri Lanka, who are not as strong as they once were, in your own backyard, that is a very special feeling. You should be desperate for it every week as a Test cricketer," Vaughan added.

England will next play a three-match Test series against Pakistan away in October. They will then face New Zealand in a similar series away in November and December. England will host a five-match series against India at home next year.

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