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The English main batters have opted to miss a day-night tour match in Canberra, even after a devastating defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

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

The break opened up the option for players to join the England Lions 48-hour day-night fixture against a invitational side in the capital this weekend.

Instead, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, plus batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom played in the first Test – will travel to join the development squad.

Reports indicate that none of the first-Test players asked to play in the capital match.

Ex- English Player Describes Decision "Bizarre"

Upon learning England thought about sending squad members to the capital for the development squad game, we assumed it would be players in need of match time.

Ex- England fast bowler and chief cricket commentator added:

The team are responsible for their preparation and their performances on the field. It's their job to doing everything possible of winning the series. The proof of the pudding comes with the results.

Lost Opportunity for Pink-Ball Practice

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

The tourists have played in the game in previous Ashes tours, but was left out in their schedule on this occasion because of a possible tight turnaround to Brisbane if the first match had lasted the full duration.

The flight from Western Australia to the capital requires almost 240 minutes, with a additional two-hour journey between Canberra and Brisbane.

Yet, given the first Test was completed in just two days – the first 48-hour Ashes Test in over a century – the idea of dispatching at least the batters to the capital appeared to make sense.

Performance Issues in First Test

• The tourists dismissed twice in Perth inside 67.3 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England faced so few deliveries in a defeat in a Test match.
• Each of captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper failed to reach 10 runs in either innings.
• Zak Crawley became only the fourth England opener to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

The side played only one warm-up match before the Perth match, meaning the fixture in Canberra would have provided much-needed batting practice.

Uncommon Pink-Ball Challenge Ahead

In addition, the development game would have offered experience using the day-night ball, with the team due to play a unusual day-night Test.

The tourists have lost 5 of their 7 prior day-nighters, while Australia have won 13 from 14.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, the home side boast the top day-night specialist in the game.

Of England's probable XI in Brisbane, gloveman one player and pace bowler another have never played a first-class match with a day-night ball, while Brydon Carse has played only one.

Team Management Stance

Questioned following the Perth match whether England would alter their plans and dispatch players to the capital, captain Ben Stokes remained firm they would not.

I've been asked a lot, that was the method a long time ago. We prepare incredibly well and work incredibly hard every day to improve our game.

Head coach Brendon McCullum appeared to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We need to work out what the pros and cons are. We're not married to a fixed plan currently, but we'll decide soon.

The coach added that he was "confident" a batsman would be allowed to participate in Canberra should they wish.

Criticism from Former Captain

Commenting recently, former captain a well-known figure said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the chance to participate in the capital.

What harm is it playing 48 hours of the game using the day-night ball in evening conditions?

Vaughan added:

It's hard to believe so old school to propose that by playing cricket they could become slightly improved?

My method is, there's a day-night two-day game, you go and grab it, make the most of it, play those two days and give yourself the optimal preparation.

The squad are scheduled to fly to Brisbane on Wednesday and do not plan to practice until Monday. Exists the possibility of an extra training session at the weekend.