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England's key batsmen decided to avoid a pink-ball tour match in Canberra, even after a heavy loss in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists lost in under 48 hours in Perth, leaving an extended break ahead of the upcoming pink-ball Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the chance for players to participate in the development squad two-day pink-ball match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra this weekend.

However, only pace bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batter Jacob Bethell – all of whom featured in the first Test – will travel and link up with the Lions.

It is understood that not one of the Perth players requested to play in the capital fixture.

Former English Star Describes Move "Bizarre"

Upon learning England were considering sending players to Canberra for the England Lions game, we assumed they would send players in need of match time.

Ex- English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator continued:

England must take charge of their preparation and their performances during matches. It's their job to giving it their best shot of winning the series. The real test comes with the results.

Lost Opportunity for Pink-Ball Practice

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

The tourists participated in the fixture in past Ashes tours, but was left out in their schedule this time because of a possible short gap to Brisbane had the Perth Test gone the full duration.

Travel from Perth to the capital takes just under 240 minutes, and a further 120-minute flight from the capital to Brisbane.

Yet, given the first Test was completed in just two days – marking the first 48-hour Ashes Test since 1921 – the idea of dispatching at least the batters to the capital seemed to make sense.

Performance Struggles in Perth

• England were bowled out twice in the first Test inside 68 overs.
• It's been since 1904 have England faced so few deliveries in losing a Test.
• Each of captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper didn't make double figures in both innings.
• Zak Crawley was only the fourth English opening batsman to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

England played only one practice game before the Perth match, meaning the game in the capital could have offered valuable time in the middle.

Uncommon Pink-Ball Challenge Ahead

Furthermore, the development game would have offered practice using the pink ball, with the team due to play a unusual day-night Test.

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

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in the first Test, Australia have the top day-night specialist in the game.

Among the likely XI in the next Test, gloveman Jamie Smith and fast bowler another are yet to experience a first-class match with a day-night ball, and Brydon Carse has played only one.

Leadership Position

Asked after the first Test if England would alter preparations and dispatch squad members to Canberra, the skipper remained firm in refusing.

This question has come up repeatedly, that was the method in the past. Our preparations thoroughly and train intensely whenever possible we get the opportunity.

Coach Brendon McCullum seemed to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We need to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to a fixed plan at the moment, but we'll decide soon.

McCullum continued that he was "confident" a batter would be allowed to participate in the capital if he wanted to.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Speaking on Saturday, former captain a well-known figure said it would be "unprofessional" to decline the opportunity to participate in the capital.

How could it hurt playing two days of cricket using the day-night ball under lights?

He continued:

I can't be so old school to suggest that by getting match practice they might get a little bit better?

The approach I'd take is, there's 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 Queensland on Wednesday and are not scheduled to practice before the start of the week. Exists the chance of an extra training session on Sunday.