Who said what - top 5 expert reactions to Sri Lanka's win vs England in 3rd Test at The Oval ft. Kumar Sangakkara
Sri Lanka completed an emphatic victory over England to avoid a whitewash in the third and final fixture of the bilateral Test series on Monday, September 9, at The Oval. This was their first red-ball victory on English soil after winning a Test series 1-0 back in 2014.
The win also helped them leapfrog England in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
England took a first-innings lead of 62 runs, on the back of skipper Ollie Pope's 154. However, the home team were bundled out for 156 in the second innings, with Lahiru Kumara taking four wickets. Thereafter, Pathum Nissanka was exceptional to remain unbeaten on 127 off 124, as Sri Lanka chased down a target of 219 easily.
On that note, let's take a look at the five top expert reactions to Sri Lanka's historic victory over England.
#1 Stuart Broad
Former England pacer Stuart Broad feels England will be satisfied with their performances in the home summer, where they secured victories in five out of six Test matches. In July, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, England secured a 3-0 clean sweep against West Indies.
In an interaction with Sky Sports, Broad said:
"I think I said at the start of the summer, their target will have been to win the six Test matches while also getting some new players into Test match cricket and see how they settle. I think that has certainly been achieved." [H/t Sky Sports]
However, Broad felt England would be disappointed after the series ended with a defeat.
"But this performance will frustrate them slightly, especially now there is a bit of a break before they play another Test match," he added.
#2 Russell Arnold
Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, former Sri Lanka batter Russell Arnold praised Sri Lanka for adjusting to conditions and making a comeback in the final game.
As per Arnold, if Sri Lanka maintain the same intensity and belief, they will be consistent in the longest format. He said:
"It has been a tremendous effort from Sri Lanka. They adjusted well to the conditions and outbowled the England seamers. [H/t BBC Test Match Special]
"They hung in there after having a very poor first day. It is what they need to do more - maintain that intensity and belief. If they do they will win a lot more," he added.
#3 Alastair Cook
Former England skipper Alastair Cook interacted with BBC Test Match Special and congratulated Sri Lanka for their positive approach to win the game. He said:
"Sri Lanka have been so good at playing what's in front of them. They deserve the win. Sometimes you need reality checks. England will say they weren't complacent but they weren't on it."
He further added:
"It is a poor end to the summer but if you are Brendon McCullum and Rob Key they will say they have won lot of Tests without senior players, seen more about some players and introduced others into the mix.
"It is a learning experience. You don't become the best Test player straight away. It is about learning from these losses."
#4 Kumar Sangakkara
Assessing England's loss on Sky Sports, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara questioned whether the side would continue their Bazball approach after a loss or learn from it to evolve ahead of the next series.
"It is a really interesting point to make how the dressing room reacts to situations like this. Are they going to keep saying 'This is how we play, this is going to happen, let's go do the same thing'? Are they going to learn and evolve?" he wondered.
Further, Sangakkara also doubted England's potency when they tour India and Australia with the same approach.
"They are going to play much tougher sides. No criticism on Sri Lanka but you have much more experienced and capable sides - India, Australia, away from England without the Dukes ball," Sanga added.
#5 Michael Vaughan
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan reflected on Sri Lanka's emphatic victory on Sky Sports. He feels the visitors completely dominated England on their home soil, while also praising the match-winning knock of Pathum Nissanka. He said:
"It is a hammering. Sri Lanka have been outstanding. Nissanka has played one of the great Test innings. These have been completely English conditions all week."
Vaughan thinks that England were relaxed with their approach in the final Test, which allowed Sri Lanka to have an edge over them.
"Winning a Test is the greatest feeling but it takes a lot of hard work. England will have to sit in the dressing room having won the series but lost the game. They have relaxed, switched off and been a bit blasé," he added.