Michael Vaughan warns England after shocking defeat to Sri Lanka: 'They disrespected Test cricket', calls for wake-up call against India

Despite being 2-0 down in the series, Sri Lanka managed to secure a consolation victory in the final Test against England. However, the manner in which England lost the match raised concerns. Former captain Michael Vaughan criticized England for their disrespectful approach to Test cricket and Sri Lanka during the game.

“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 The Telegraph.

Vaughan pointed out to instances in the recent past where England aggressive approach ended up costing them series wins. “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,” he said.

England face Australia in the Ashes and host India for a five-match Test series next year. “There is no way they will get away with playing like this against India or Australia,” he said.

Sri Lanka's previous Test win in England came in June 2014 when then-captain Angelo Mathews powered his team to a 100-run win with a sensational all-round performance. Incidentally, that was also the last time Sri Lanka beat England in a Test series. Mathews was at the crease on Monday as well when Pathum Nissanka hit the winning runs. Nissanka was unbeaten on a towering 127 off 124 balls while Mathews had scored 32 in 61. The pair put up an undefeated stand of 111 runs in 126 balls for the third wicket.

After their impressive end to Sunday's final session, where fast bowlers Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando wreaked havoc on the England lineup, Sri Lanka resumed at 94/1. They needed a further 125 to win and knocked them off in a little over two hours to finish on 219/2 and win by eight wickets.