Make sure you finish the deal, cannot give Australia so many opportunities: Michael Vaughan

Following the dramatic conclusion to the Ashes opener in Birmingham, former England skipper Michael Vaughan wished for more diligence from the Three Lions. The ex-cricketer lamented England's rustiness on the field, which played a pivotal role in their narrow loss. 

The Ashes opener at Edgbaston saw the momentum change hands on several occasions, but former England skipper Michael Vaughan felt that the home side did not let it count whenever they were on top of the opposition. Vaughan felt that England were a bit complacent whenever they dominated the proceedings, opening a door for the Aussies.

While there were a few glaring dropped chances from wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, Vaughan reckoned England could've been a bit more ruthless with the bat on a docile surface in Birmingham. He urged Ben Stokes to be more fluid and adaptive with his game plans against a formidable Australian side.

“What England must learn is that when you are nailing the opposition, make sure you finish the deal. If you were being critical, there were too many times in this Test match when England seemed comfortably on top and then just opened up a door for Australia. You have got to have it in you to change it up. So England need to adapt over the course of a five-day game.

That is a warning sign for England. I would not change the team. It is just about being smarter and a little bit sharper in the field. They just cannot give Australia so many opportunities. There are no sporting teams in my recollection that play only one way and are ultimately successful in the highest competitions," wrote Vaughan in his column for The Daily Telegraph.

I think Stokes will want the team to try to just be a little bit smarter: Vaughan

Although Vaughan refrained from making any changes to the side that failed to get over the line in the Ashes opener, the former captain expects a bit more shrewdness from the English side in the upcoming Tests. 

"England will say that nothing changes, and that is a good message to stick to outwardly. But I think Stokes will want the team to try to just be a little bit smarter, keeping the core of what has worked so well in the past year, and just being shrewder at assessing moments," he added.