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The English key batters chose to miss a day-night tour match in Canberra, even after a comprehensive defeat in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists suffered defeat in under 48 hours in Perth, creating an extended break ahead of the second pink-ball Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the chance for squad members to participate in the development squad two-day day-night match versus a invitational side in Canberra this weekend.

However, only fast bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, plus batsman a young player – all of whom played in the first Test – will travel to join the Lions.

Sources suggest that not one of the Perth XI requested to play in the capital fixture.

Former England Player Describes Decision "Strange"

Upon learning England thought about dispatching players to the capital for the England Lions match, we assumed it would be players in need of practice.

Ex- English paceman and lead analyst added:

England must take charge of their preparation and how they perform during matches. It's their job to giving it their best shot of winning the Ashes. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

Missed Opportunity for Pink-Ball Practice

The fixture with the invitational side has long been customary for visiting teams to Australia.

England have played in the game in past series in Australia, but it was not in their schedule this time due to a potential tight turnaround to Brisbane had the first match gone all five days.

The flight from Western Australia to Canberra takes almost 240 minutes, with a additional 120-minute flight between the capital and Queensland.

However, given the first Test was completed so quickly – the first 48-hour Ashes Test in over a century – the idea of dispatching some of the batters to Canberra appeared to be logical.

Batting Struggles in First Test

• England dismissed twice in the first Test in under 67.3 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s has the team faced so few balls in a defeat in a Test match.
• Both the skipper and former captain Joe Root didn't make double figures in either innings.
• Zak Crawley was one of just four English opening batsman to register a pair in an Ashes Test.

The side had just a single practice game prior to the first Test, meaning the fixture in the capital could have offered much-needed time in the middle.

Uncommon Pink-Ball Test Coming Up

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

The tourists have lost five of their seven prior day-nighters, while Australia triumphed in thirteen from fourteen.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, Australia have the best pink-ball bowler in the game.

Among the likely XI in the next Test, gloveman Jamie Smith and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a first-class match using a day-night ball, and a third has played only one.

Leadership Position

Questioned after the first Test whether England would alter preparations and dispatch squad members to Canberra, captain Ben Stokes remained firm in refusing.

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

Coach Brendon McCullum 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 a fixed plan currently, but we'll work it out in a couple of days.

McCullum added that he was "sure" a batter would be allowed to participate in the capital should they wish.

Criticism from Former Captain

Speaking on Saturday, former captain Michael Vaughan said it would be "amateurish" to decline the chance to participate in Canberra.

What harm is it taking part in two days of the game with the pink ball under lights?

Vaughan continued:

It's hard to believe so traditional to suggest that by getting match practice they might get slightly improved?

The approach I'd take is, there's a day-night two-day game, you go and grab it, make the most of it, participate fully and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

The squad will travel to Queensland midweek and are not scheduled to train before the start of the week. There is the possibility of an extra training session at the weekend.