England's First-Choice Batsmen Skip Day-Night Practice Game

England's key batters have opted to skip a pink-ball practice game in the capital, even after a comprehensive loss in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists suffered defeat within two days in the first Test, creating an 11-day gap before the second day-night Test in Queensland.

This gap opened up the possibility for players to join the England Lions two-day day-night fixture against a Prime Minister's XI in the capital this weekend.

Instead, just fast bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, plus batter Jacob Bethell – none of whom featured in the Perth match – will travel and link up with the development squad.

Reports indicate that none of the Perth XI asked to play in the Canberra match.

Former England Star Calls Move "Unusual"

Upon learning the team thought about sending players to the capital for the England Lions game, it was expected it would be players in need of match time.

The former English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator added:

England must take charge of their preparation and how they perform during matches. They are responsible for giving it their best shot of winning the series. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

Missed Opportunity for Day-Night Practice

The fixture against the Prime Minister's XI is a tradition for visiting teams to Australia.

England participated in the game in past series in Australia, but it was not from their plans on this occasion due to a potential tight turnaround to Brisbane if the first match had lasted all five days.

Travel from Western Australia to Canberra requires almost 240 minutes, and a further two-hour journey from Canberra to Brisbane.

However, given the opening match was completed in just two days – marking the first 48-hour Test in the series in over a century – the thought of dispatching at least the batters to the capital seemed to be logical.

Performance Struggles in First Test

• The tourists were bowled out twice in Perth inside 68 overs.
• It's been since 1904 have England faced so few deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Both the skipper and former captain Joe Root didn't make 10 runs in either innings.
• The opener became only the fourth English opening batsman to register a pair in an Ashes match.

England played only one warm-up match before the Perth match, so the game in the capital would have provided valuable batting practice.

Uncommon Pink-Ball Challenge Ahead

Furthermore, the development game provided practice with the day-night ball, with the team due to play a rare day-night Test.

The tourists have lost five of their seven prior day-nighters, whereas Australia have won thirteen from 14.

With a key bowler, who took 10 wickets in the first Test, the home side have the top pink-ball bowler in the game.

Of England's likely line-up in Brisbane, gloveman Jamie Smith and pace bowler another have never played a first-class match using a day-night ball, while a third has played only one.

Team Management Position

Asked following the first Test whether the team would alter their plans and send players to Canberra, captain Ben Stokes was adamant they would not.

This question has come up a lot, that was the method a long time ago. We prepare thoroughly and work intensely whenever possible we get the opportunity.

Coach the coach seemed to leave the door open when he said:

We need to work out what the pros and cons are. We're not married to a fixed plan at the moment, but we'll work it out in a couple of days.

McCullum added that he was "sure" a batsman would be allowed to participate in the capital if he wanted to.

Concerns from Former Captain

Commenting on Saturday, ex-skipper a well-known figure stated it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the opportunity to play in Canberra.

How could it hurt playing 48 hours of cricket using the day-night ball under lights?

Vaughan continued:

It's hard to believe so traditional to propose that by getting match practice they could become a little bit better?

The approach I'd take is, there's a pink-ball 48-hour match, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, play those two days and give yourself the best chance.

England are scheduled to fly to Queensland on Wednesday and do not plan to practice before the start of the week. Exists the chance of an additional practice on Sunday.