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England's primary batsmen chose to skip a day-night tour match in the capital, even after a heavy loss in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists were beaten in under two days in the first Test, creating an 11-day gap before the upcoming pink-ball Test in Queensland.

The break presented the option for players to participate in the England Lions 48-hour day-night match versus a invitational side in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, plus batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom featured in the Perth match – are set to go to join the Lions.

Sources suggest that not one of the first-Test players asked to play in the capital match.

Ex- England Player Calls Move "Strange"

Upon learning England thought about sending squad members to Canberra for the England Lions game, it was expected they would send players requiring practice.

Ex- English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator continued:

England are responsible for how they prepare and their performances on the field. They are responsible for doing everything possible of winning the series. The real test comes in the eating.

Lost Opportunity for Pink-Ball Experience

This match with the Prime Minister's XI is a tradition for touring sides to Australia.

England participated in the game in previous series in Australia, but was left out from their plans this time because of a potential tight turnaround to Brisbane had the Perth Test gone the full duration.

The flight from Western Australia to the capital requires just under four hours, with a further two-hour flight from the capital to Brisbane.

However, considering the first Test was completed so quickly – the first two-day Ashes Test in over a century – the idea of sending some of the batsmen to Canberra seemed to make sense.

Batting Issues in Perth

• England were bowled out in both innings in the first Test inside 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s has the team survived so few balls in losing a Test.
• Both captain Ben Stokes and former captain Joe Root failed to reach 10 runs in either innings.
• Zak Crawley became one of just four England opening batsman to record a pair in an Ashes match.

England had just a single warm-up match prior to the first Test, meaning the fixture in the capital could have offered valuable batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Test Coming Up

In addition, the development game would have offered experience using the pink ball, with the team set to face a unusual day-night Test.

The tourists been defeated in 5 of their 7 previous day-nighters, while Australia have won thirteen from 14.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, Australia have the best day-night specialist in the game.

Among the probable line-up in the next Test, gloveman Jamie Smith and fast bowler another have never played a first-class match with a day-night ball, while Brydon Carse has just a single appearance.

Team Management Position

Questioned after the Perth match whether England would change preparations and send players to the capital, the skipper was adamant in refusing.

I've been asked repeatedly, that was the method a long time ago. We prepare thoroughly and work incredibly hard every day we get the opportunity.

Head coach the coach seemed to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We've just got to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We're not married to a fixed plan currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach continued that he was "sure" a batter would be allowed to participate in Canberra if he wanted to.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Commenting on Saturday, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan stated it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the opportunity to play in Canberra.

What harm is it playing two days of the game with the day-night ball in evening conditions?

He continued:

It's hard to believe so traditional to propose that by playing cricket they might get slightly improved?

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

England are scheduled to fly to Brisbane midweek and are not scheduled to train before the start of the week. Exists the possibility of an extra training session at the weekend.