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The English main batsmen chose to miss a pink-ball tour match in the capital, despite a heavy loss in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.

England lost within two days in Perth, creating an extended break before the upcoming day-night Test in Queensland.

This gap opened up the chance for squad members to join the development squad 48-hour day-night fixture versus a Prime Minister's XI in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, only fast bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, plus batsman a young player – all of whom played in the Perth match – are set to go to join the development squad.

Sources suggest that none of the first-Test players asked to play in the Canberra match.

Ex- English Player Describes Move "Strange"

When we heard the team were considering sending squad members to Canberra for the England Lions match, it was expected they would send players in need of match time.

The former English paceman and lead analyst added:

England must take charge of how they prepare and how they perform on the field. They are responsible for giving it their best shot of winning the series. The proof of the pudding comes with the results.

Lost Chance for Day-Night Practice

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

England participated in the fixture in past series in Australia, but it was not in their schedule on this occasion due to a possible short gap to the next Test had the first match gone all five days.

The flight from Western Australia to the capital takes just under 240 minutes, with a further 120-minute flight between Canberra to Brisbane.

However, given the opening match finished so quickly – the first 48-hour Ashes Test since 1921 – the thought of dispatching some of the batters to the capital appeared to be logical.

Batting Issues in First Test

• The tourists dismissed in both innings in Perth inside 67.3 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s has the team faced such a low number of balls in losing a Test match.
• Each of captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper didn't make double figures in both innings.
• Zak Crawley became one of just four England opening batsman to register a pair in an Ashes match.

The side had just a single practice game before the first Test, meaning the game in the capital would have provided valuable batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Challenge Ahead

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

The tourists been defeated in five of their 7 previous pink-ball Tests, while the hosts have won thirteen from fourteen.

With a key bowler, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, the home side boast the best day-night specialist in the game.

Among the likely XI in Brisbane, wicketkeeper one player and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a red-ball game using a day-night ball, and a third has just a single appearance.

Leadership Position

Asked following the first Test whether England would alter preparations and send squad members to Canberra, the skipper remained firm they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that's how it was done in the past. Our preparations incredibly well and train incredibly hard every day to improve our game.

Head coach Brendon McCullum seemed to suggest flexibility when he said:

We've just got to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We're not married to any position at the moment, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach added that he was "confident" a batsman could play in Canberra should they wish.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, former captain Michael Vaughan said it would be "unprofessional" to decline the chance to play in Canberra.

How could it hurt taking part in 48 hours of cricket using the pink ball in evening conditions?

Vaughan added:

I can't be so traditional to propose that by playing cricket they might get a little bit better?

The approach I'd take would be, there's a day-night 48-hour match, you go and grab it, make the most of it, play those two days and give yourself the optimal preparation.

England will travel to Brisbane midweek and do not plan to train until Monday. There is the possibility of an additional practice at the weekend.