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England's primary batsmen decided to skip a day-night practice game in Canberra, even after a heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.

England lost within 48 hours in the first Test, creating an extended break before the upcoming pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

This gap opened up the possibility for squad members to participate in the development squad two-day pink-ball match against a invitational side in Canberra this weekend.

Instead, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, plus batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom featured in the Perth match – will travel and link up with the development squad.

Reports indicate that not one of the Perth XI requested to participate in the Canberra match.

Ex- England Player Calls Decision "Strange"

Upon learning the team thought about dispatching squad members to Canberra for the development squad match, it was expected they would send players in need of practice.

Ex- English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator added:

England are responsible for their preparation and their performances during matches. They are responsible for doing everything possible of winning the Ashes. The proof of the pudding comes with the results.

Missed Opportunity for Pink-Ball Practice

This match against the invitational side has long been customary for visiting teams down under.

England participated in the fixture in past series in Australia, but it was not from their plans on this occasion due to a potential short gap to Brisbane had the first match gone the full duration.

Travel from Western Australia to Canberra takes almost four hours, with a further 120-minute flight from Canberra to Queensland.

Yet, given the first Test finished in just two days – the first two-day Test in the series in over a century – the thought of dispatching at least the batters to Canberra appeared to be logical.

Batting Issues in Perth

• The tourists were bowled out in both innings in Perth inside 67.3 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s has the team survived such a low number of deliveries in losing a Test match.
• 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 match.

England played only one warm-up match prior to the first Test, so the game in Canberra could have offered much-needed time in the middle.

Rare Pink-Ball Test Coming Up

In addition, the development game would have offered experience using the day-night ball, as England due to play a rare pink-ball Test.

The tourists been defeated in 5 of their seven prior pink-ball Tests, whereas Australia triumphed in 13 from 14.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who took a ten-wicket haul in Perth, the home side have the top day-night specialist in the world.

Of England's probable XI in the next Test, gloveman one player and fast bowler another are yet to experience a red-ball game using a day-night ball, and a third has played only one.

Leadership Stance

Asked after the Perth match if England would change their plans and dispatch squad members to Canberra, the skipper was adamant they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that was the method in the past. Our preparations thoroughly and train incredibly hard whenever possible to improve our game.

Head coach the coach appeared to leave the door open when he said:

We've just got to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We're not married to a fixed plan currently, but we'll decide soon.

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

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Commenting on Saturday, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan stated it would be "amateurish" to pass up the chance to participate in Canberra.

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

He continued:

I can't be so traditional to propose that by getting match practice they could become slightly improved?

The approach I'd take is, there's a pink-ball two-day game, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, participate fully and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

The squad are scheduled to fly to Queensland midweek and are not scheduled to train until Monday. Exists the chance of an additional training session at the weekend.