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The English key batsmen decided to miss a pink-ball practice game in Canberra, even after a devastating loss in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

England were beaten within two days in Perth, creating an extended break ahead of the second day-night Test in Brisbane.

The break opened up the possibility for squad members to participate in the England Lions two-day day-night fixture versus a invitational side in Canberra this weekend.

Instead, only pace bowlers one bowler and another bowler, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – all of whom played in the Perth match – will travel to join the Lions.

It is understood that not one of the Perth players requested to participate in the Canberra match.

Former English Star Calls Move "Strange"

When we heard the team thought about dispatching players to Canberra for the development squad game, it was expected they would send those requiring practice.

The former England paceman and lead analyst added:

England must take charge of how they prepare and how they perform during matches. It's their job to giving it their best shot to win the series. The real test will be in the eating.

Missed Opportunity for Pink-Ball 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 this time due to a possible tight turnaround to the next Test if the first match had lasted all five days.

The flight from Western Australia to the capital requires just under four hours, and a additional 120-minute flight between Canberra and Queensland.

Yet, considering the opening match finished in just two days – the first two-day Ashes Test in over a century – the thought of sending at least the batsmen to Canberra seemed to be logical.

Performance Issues in Perth

• England were bowled out in both innings in Perth in under 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England faced such a low number of deliveries in losing a Test.
• Both captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper didn't make double figures in both innings.
• Zak Crawley was one of just four English opener to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

The side had just a single practice game before the first Test, meaning the game in Canberra could have offered valuable time in the middle.

Rare Day-Night Challenge Coming Up

In addition, the development game provided practice with the pink ball, with the team set to face a rare day-night Test.

The tourists been defeated in 5 of their seven previous day-nighters, whereas the hosts triumphed in thirteen from 14.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in the first Test, the home side boast the best day-night specialist in the game.

Of England's likely XI in Brisbane, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are yet to experience a first-class match using a pink ball, while a third has played only one.

Team Management Stance

Asked after the Perth match whether England would change preparations and dispatch players to Canberra, the skipper was adamant in refusing.

I've been asked a lot, that's how it was done in the past. Our preparations incredibly well and work incredibly hard whenever possible to improve our game.

Head coach Brendon McCullum appeared to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We've just got to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to any position currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach continued that he was "confident" a batter could play in Canberra if he wanted to.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, former captain Michael Vaughan stated it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the opportunity to participate in Canberra.

What harm is it taking part in 48 hours of the game using the pink ball in evening conditions?

He continued:

I can't be so old school to suggest that by getting match practice they could become slightly improved?

The approach I'd take would be, you've got a day-night two-day game, you seize the opportunity, make the most of it, play those two days and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

England will travel to Brisbane on Wednesday and are not scheduled to train until Monday. There is the possibility of an extra practice on Sunday.