The English First-Choice Batters Miss Day-Night Practice Game

England's key batters have opted to skip a pink-ball tour match in Canberra, despite a comprehensive loss in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

England suffered defeat in under 48 hours in the first Test, leaving an 11-day gap ahead of the upcoming pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

The break opened up the chance for players to participate in the England Lions 48-hour day-night match versus a invitational side in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday.

However, just pace bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, along with batter Jacob Bethell – all of whom featured in the Perth match – are set to go to join the development squad.

It is understood that none of the Perth players requested to participate in the capital fixture.

Ex- English Star Calls Decision "Bizarre"

When we heard England thought about dispatching players to Canberra for the development squad game, we assumed it would be those requiring practice.

Ex- England paceman and lead analyst continued:

England must take charge of their preparation and their performances on the field. It's their job to doing everything possible of winning the Ashes. The proof of the pudding comes with the results.

Missed Opportunity for Pink-Ball Experience

The fixture against the Prime Minister's XI has long been customary for touring sides to Australia.

England participated in the fixture in previous series in Australia, but was left out in their schedule this time due to a possible tight turnaround to the next Test had the first match gone all five days.

The flight from Perth to the capital takes almost four hours, with a additional two-hour flight from the capital to Queensland.

However, given the first Test finished in just two days – marking the first 48-hour Ashes Test since 1921 – the idea of sending some of the batters to the capital seemed to be logical.

Performance Issues in First Test

• The tourists were bowled out twice in the first Test in under 68 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s have England survived such a low number of deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Each of the skipper and ex-skipper didn't make 10 runs in either innings.
• Zak Crawley was only the fourth England opening batsman to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

The side played only one warm-up match before the Perth match, meaning the fixture in the capital could have offered much-needed batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Test Ahead

Furthermore, the Lions match would have offered practice using the day-night ball, with the team set to face a unusual day-night Test.

The tourists have lost five of their 7 previous day-nighters, while the hosts have won 13 from 14.

With a key bowler, who took a ten-wicket haul in Perth, the home side have the top 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 using a pink ball, while Brydon Carse has played only one.

Leadership Position

Questioned after the first Test whether the team would change their plans and dispatch squad members to Canberra, the skipper was adamant they would not.

I've been asked a lot, that's how it was done in the past. We prepare thoroughly and train intensely whenever possible we get the opportunity.

Coach the coach appeared to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We've just got to determine what the pros and cons are. We haven't committed to any position at the moment, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach continued that he was "confident" a batsman would be allowed to participate in the capital should they wish.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Speaking recently, former captain Michael Vaughan said it would be "unprofessional" to decline the chance to play in Canberra.

What harm is it taking part in two days of cricket using the pink ball under lights?

He continued:

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

My method would be, there's a day-night 48-hour match, you go and grab it, make the most of it, participate fully and provide yourself the best chance.

England are scheduled to fly to Queensland on Wednesday and do not plan to train until Monday. There is the chance of an extra practice at the weekend.