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The English main batsmen chose to skip a day-night practice game in Canberra, despite a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

England were beaten within 48 hours in Perth, leaving an extended gap ahead of the upcoming day-night Test in Brisbane.

This gap presented the chance for squad members to join the development squad two-day day-night fixture versus a invitational side in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday.

However, just pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom featured in the first Test – are set to go to join the Lions.

Sources suggest that not one of the first-Test XI asked to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Ex- English Star Calls Decision "Unusual"

Upon learning England thought about dispatching squad members to Canberra for the development squad game, it was expected they would send those requiring match time.

Ex- English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator 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 of winning the series. The proof of the pudding comes with the results.

Missed Opportunity for Pink-Ball Practice

This match with the Prime Minister's XI has long been customary for touring sides down under.

The tourists participated in the game in past series in Australia, but it was not in their schedule on this occasion because of a possible tight turnaround to the next Test had the Perth Test had lasted the full duration.

Travel from Western Australia to the capital requires just under four hours, with a additional two-hour journey from the capital and Brisbane.

Yet, considering the opening match finished in just two days – the first two-day Test in the series since 1921 – the thought of dispatching at least the batters to the capital seemed to make sense.

Batting Struggles in Perth

• England were bowled out in both innings in Perth inside 67.3 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s have England survived so few balls in a defeat in a Test match.
• Both the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach double figures in either innings.
• The opener became only the fourth England opening batsman to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

England had just a single warm-up match before the Perth match, so the game in the capital would have provided much-needed time in the middle.

Rare Pink-Ball Test Coming Up

Furthermore, the development game would have offered practice using the day-night ball, as the team set to face a rare pink-ball Test.

England have lost five of their seven prior day-nighters, whereas Australia have won 13 from 14.

With Mitchell Starc, who took 10 wickets in the first Test, the home side have the top day-night specialist in the world.

Of England's likely XI in Brisbane, wicketkeeper one player and pace bowler another have never played a red-ball game using a day-night ball, and a third has played only one.

Leadership Stance

Asked after the first Test whether England would change preparations and dispatch squad members to the capital, the skipper was adamant they would not.

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

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

We've just got to determine what the pros and cons are. We haven't committed to any position currently, but we'll decide soon.

The coach added that he was "sure" a batsman could play in the capital if he wanted to.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, former captain a well-known figure stated it would be "unprofessional" to decline the chance to play in the capital.

What harm is it playing 48 hours of the game using the day-night ball under lights?

Vaughan continued:

I can't be so old school to suggest that by playing cricket they could become slightly improved?

My method would be, you've got a pink-ball two-day game, you go and grab it, make the most of it, participate fully and give yourself the optimal preparation.

The squad will travel to Brisbane on Wednesday and do not plan to train before the start of the week. There is the chance of an extra practice on Sunday.