Despite England’s dominance earlier in the series, Sri Lanka secured a commanding eight-wicket win, chasing down 219 with ease, thanks to Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten century.
Vaughan believes England’s loss was a result of complacency and overconfidence after a successful summer.
In his column for The Telegraph, Vaughan criticized England for their approach, stating, “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.”
This defeat marked the first time Sri Lanka won a Test in England since 2014, yet Vaughan felt the hosts’ attitude during the match was far too relaxed.
Vaughan pointed out that England’s tendency to become complacent after a good run has been a recurring issue. “The intensity and concentration in the big moments were missing this week. 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,” he emphasized.
Vaughan’s remarks were aimed at warning England against underestimating opponents, particularly as tougher Test assignments loom, with series against Pakistan, New Zealand, India, and Australia on the horizon.
The former captain stressed that England need to be more disciplined, especially in high-pressure situations.
England’s middle-order collapse, from 261-3 to 325 all out, proved costly, and Vaughan urged the team to reflect on this defeat as a wake-up call for future challenges.
“I would really encourage England to never 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,” the former English skipper added.