🔗 Share this article England's First-Choice Batsmen Skip Day-Night Practice Game England's primary batsmen decided to miss a day-night tour match in the capital, even after a comprehensive defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Perth. England were beaten within two days in the first Test, leaving an 11-day break before the second day-night Test in Brisbane. The break opened up the option for players to participate in the development squad 48-hour day-night match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra this weekend. Instead, only pace bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batter Jacob Bethell – none of whom featured in the Perth match – are set to go and link up with the Lions. It is understood that not one of the first-Test players requested to play in the capital match. Ex- England Star Calls Move "Bizarre" When we heard England were considering dispatching squad members to the capital for the development squad match, it was expected they would send those requiring match time. Ex- England fast bowler and lead analyst added: The team are responsible for how they prepare and how they perform on the field. They are responsible for doing everything possible of winning the series. The proof of the pudding comes with the results. Lost Opportunity for Day-Night Experience The fixture against the invitational side is a tradition for visiting teams to Australia. England participated in the fixture in previous Ashes tours, but it was not in their schedule on this occasion because of a possible short gap to the next Test if the first match had lasted all five days. The flight from Western Australia to the capital takes almost 240 minutes, and a additional 120-minute journey from the capital and Brisbane. However, given the first Test was completed so quickly – marking the first two-day Test in the series since 1921 – the thought of sending at least the batsmen to Canberra seemed to be logical. Batting Issues in First Test England dismissed in both innings in the first Test in under 68 overs. Not since the early 1900s have England faced such a low number of deliveries in losing a Test match. Both captain Ben Stokes and former captain Joe Root didn't make double figures in either innings. Zak Crawley was one of just four England opener to register a pair in an Ashes match. The side had just a single practice game before the first Test, so the fixture in Canberra would have provided valuable batting practice. Rare Day-Night Challenge Coming Up Furthermore, the Lions match provided experience with the pink ball, with England due to play a rare pink-ball Test. The tourists been defeated in five of their seven previous day-nighters, while the hosts triumphed in 13 from 14. In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, Australia have the best day-night specialist in the game. Among the probable line-up in Brisbane, gloveman one player and pace bowler another have never played a red-ball game with a pink ball, while Brydon Carse has just a single appearance. Team Management Position Questioned after the first Test whether England would alter preparations and dispatch players to the capital, the skipper remained firm in refusing. This question has come up repeatedly, that's how it was done in the past. We prepare incredibly well and work incredibly hard whenever possible we get the opportunity. Head coach Brendon McCullum seemed to suggest flexibility when he stated: 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 continued that he was "sure" a batter would be allowed to participate in Canberra should they wish. Criticism from Ex-Skipper Speaking on Saturday, former captain a well-known figure said it would be "amateurish" to decline the opportunity to participate in Canberra. How could it hurt taking part in 48 hours of the game using the pink ball under lights? Vaughan added: It's hard to believe so old school to suggest that by getting match practice they could become a little bit better? The approach I'd take is, there's a day-night two-day game, you go and grab it, make the most of it, participate fully and give yourself the optimal preparation. The squad are scheduled to fly to Brisbane midweek and do not plan to practice until Monday. Exists the possibility of an additional practice at the weekend.