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The English main batsmen chose to skip a pink-ball tour match in Canberra, despite a comprehensive loss in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

England were beaten within two days in Perth, leaving an 11-day break ahead of the second day-night Test in Brisbane.

The break opened up the chance for squad members to join the development squad 48-hour pink-ball match against a invitational side in the capital this weekend.

Instead, just fast bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, along with batter Jacob Bethell – all of whom played in the first Test – will travel and link up with the Lions.

Sources suggest that none of the first-Test XI asked to participate in the capital match.

Former England Player Describes Decision "Strange"

When we heard the team thought about sending players to the capital for the development squad game, it was expected they would send players in need of match time.

Ex- English paceman and lead analyst added:

The team are responsible for how they prepare and how they perform on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot of winning the series. The proof of the pudding comes in the eating.

Missed Opportunity for Day-Night Experience

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

England participated in the game in past series in Australia, but it was not from their plans on this occasion because of a potential tight turnaround to the next Test if the Perth Test had lasted the full duration.

The flight from Perth to Canberra takes just under 240 minutes, with a further two-hour journey between Canberra to Queensland.

However, considering the first Test was completed so quickly – the first two-day Test in the series in over a century – the idea of dispatching at least the batters to Canberra seemed to be logical.

Performance Struggles in Perth

• England were bowled out in both innings in the first Test inside 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 has the team faced so few deliveries in losing a Test match.
• Both captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper didn't make 10 runs in either innings.
• The opener was one of just four England opener to record a pair in an Ashes match.

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

Rare Pink-Ball Test Ahead

In addition, the Lions match would have offered practice with the day-night ball, as England due to play a rare pink-ball Test.

England been defeated in five of their 7 prior day-nighters, whereas Australia triumphed in thirteen from 14.

With Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, Australia boast the top day-night specialist in the game.

Among the probable XI in the next Test, gloveman Jamie Smith and fast bowler another have never played a red-ball game using a day-night ball, while a third has played only one.

Leadership Stance

Asked after the Perth match whether England would change their plans and dispatch players to the capital, the skipper was adamant in refusing.

I've been asked a lot, that was the method in the past. We prepare thoroughly and work intensely every day to improve our game.

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

We need to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We're not married to a fixed plan at the moment, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

McCullum continued that he was "sure" a batter could play in the capital if he wanted to.

Concerns from Former Captain

Commenting on Saturday, ex-skipper a well-known figure stated it would be "amateurish" to decline the opportunity to participate in the capital.

What harm is it playing two days of the game with the pink ball under lights?

He added:

It's hard to believe so traditional to propose that by getting match practice they might get a little bit better?

The approach I'd take is, you've got a pink-ball 48-hour match, you go and grab it, go and take it, participate fully and give yourself the best chance.

England are scheduled to fly to Queensland on Wednesday and are not scheduled to practice before the start of the week. There is the chance of an extra practice on Sunday.