England's First-Choice Batsmen Sit Out Day-Night Practice Game

England's main batters chose to skip a day-night tour match in the capital, despite a comprehensive loss in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists lost in under two days in Perth, leaving an extended break before the upcoming pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

The break opened up the possibility for squad members to join the England Lions two-day pink-ball fixture against a invitational side in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday.

However, only fast bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – all of whom played in the Perth match – will travel and link up with the Lions.

Sources suggest that not one of the Perth players asked to participate in the Canberra match.

Ex- England Player Describes Decision "Unusual"

Upon learning England were considering dispatching squad members to Canberra for the development squad match, it was expected they would send those requiring match time.

The former English paceman and lead analyst added:

England are responsible for their preparation and their performances during matches. They are responsible for doing everything possible of winning the Ashes. The real test will be with the results.

Missed Chance for Pink-Ball Practice

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

The tourists participated in the game in previous Ashes tours, but it was not in their schedule on this occasion because of a potential tight turnaround to the next Test if the first match had lasted the full duration.

The flight from Western Australia to Canberra requires just under four hours, and a further 120-minute flight from the capital and Brisbane.

However, given the first Test finished in just two days – marking the first two-day Test in the series in over a century – the idea of sending some of the batsmen to Canberra seemed to be logical.

Performance Issues in Perth

• The tourists were bowled out in both innings in the first Test inside 68 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s have England survived such a low number of deliveries in losing a Test.
• Both the skipper and ex-skipper 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 match.

England had just a single warm-up match before the first Test, meaning the fixture in the capital could have offered valuable batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Test Coming Up

In addition, the development game would have offered practice using the day-night ball, with the team set to face a rare pink-ball Test.

England been defeated in 5 of their 7 previous pink-ball Tests, while the hosts have won thirteen from fourteen.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, the home side boast the best day-night specialist in the world.

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

Team Management Position

Questioned after the Perth match whether England would change their plans and send squad members to the capital, the skipper was adamant they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that was the method a long time ago. Our preparations thoroughly and train incredibly hard every day to improve our game.

Coach the coach appeared to suggest flexibility when he said:

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 "sure" a batsman could play in Canberra should they wish.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the chance to play in the capital.

What harm is it taking part in 48 hours of the game with the pink ball under lights?

Vaughan continued:

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

My method would be, there's a day-night two-day game, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, play those two days and give yourself the optimal preparation.

The squad are scheduled to fly 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.