Gough removes Jayasuriya

"Karachi was pretty good, Lord's was good - but my lads and I will remember this ground for a long, long time."

England coach Duncan Fletcher, under whom England have prospered, was left stunned by the unexpectedly quick ending to the third Test.

"I am still a bit shocked," said Fletcher. "I never thought it would finish so soon.

"These guys just want to play well for each other and make sure we win as many games as we can for England.

"Everyone has contributed, and that is good to see - because it is something we have been looking for.

"I think people thought we were going to go to Pakistan and not do well, but we did. It was a very difficult job here too, probably more difficult than Pakistan."

Graham Thorpe was named man of the match for his first innings century and composure in scoring 32 in the second. Darren Gough was chosen as man of the series and promptly signalled England's immediate priorities.

"It's time to go and get absolutely hammered," said Gough.

Croft and Trescothick celebrate

"We knew it was going to be hard but the team effort has been absolutely brilliant.

"I can assure you after the first Test (against Pakistan in Lahore) I thought it's going to be one hell of a long winter but I came back well after that.

"Here the spinners came in and did it when we needed them to, the seamers bowled well again and it was a great team performance. We deserve everything we get."

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya blamed his side's batting in the last two Tests for their series defeat.

"In Kandy and in Colombo our batting let us down badly," Jayasuriya conceded.

"Our batsmen have to realise the responsibility is in their hands.

"But England played really well in Kandy and Colombo - they deserved to win."