ENG vs SL: Mark Butcher criticizes hosts’ complacent batting approach in The Oval Test

Mark Butcher (Photo by Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Mark Butcher lashed out at England after they suffered a remarkable batting collapse in their second innings of the ongoing third Test against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval in London.

England had a great start on Day 3 as they picked up the remaining five Sri Lankan wickets for 52 runs to gain a first-innings lead of 62. However, the hosts couldn’t capitalize as they lost their first seven wickets for 82 runs. Jamie Smith’s gutsy half-century helped England take their lead beyond the 200-run mark before they were eventually bowled out for 156 in 34 overs.

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The former England cricketer, Butcher, was shocked to see how things transpired in England’s second innings. The cricketer-turned-commentator acknowledged the efforts of Sri Lankan pacers Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando but lamented that some of the top-order batters gifted their wickets.

“It was shocking. They managed to knock Sri Lanka over this morning, so that part went well, but then you get bowled out in 34 overs,” Butcher told Sky Sports.

“Yes, there was movement out there and Vishwa Fernando and Kumara had that excellent spell, but they had a 60-run lead and batted like it was a 160-run lead and donated a few top-order wickets,” he said.

Butcher said that England’s complacent batting performance on Sunday, September 8, could cost them a chance to whitewash Sri Lanka after getting into a commanding position in the Test match.

“It’s been turned on its head. England, perhaps a little bit of end-of-term complacency and some excellent cricket from Sri Lanka, and are now staring down the barrel of not only failing to do the clean sweep but a fairly embarrassing defeat from two positions of strength,” Butcher added.

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Sri Lanka is in the driver’s seat heading into Day 4 as they need just another 125 runs to secure a memorable win. The visitors have nine wickets in hand, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis batting on 53 and 30, respectively.