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England's key batters decided to miss a pink-ball tour match in the capital, even after a comprehensive defeat in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists suffered defeat in under 48 hours in the first Test, creating an 11-day break before the second day-night Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the possibility for players to participate in the England Lions 48-hour pink-ball fixture versus a invitational side in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

However, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, plus batsman a young player – none of whom featured in the first Test – will travel to join the development squad.

Sources suggest that none of the Perth XI asked to play in the Canberra match.

Ex- English Player Describes Move "Unusual"

Upon learning England were considering dispatching squad members to Canberra for the England Lions match, we assumed it would be players requiring practice.

Ex- England fast bowler and lead analyst continued:

England must take charge of their preparation and their performances on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot of winning the series. The real test comes in the eating.

Missed Opportunity for Day-Night Practice

This match with the invitational side is a tradition for visiting teams to Australia.

The tourists have played in the game in past Ashes tours, but was left out from their plans on this occasion because of a potential tight turnaround to the next Test had the Perth Test had lasted all five days.

The flight from Perth to the capital requires just under four hours, with a additional 120-minute flight from the capital to Queensland.

Yet, considering the first Test finished so quickly – marking the first two-day Test in the series in over a century – the thought of sending at least the batters to the capital appeared to be logical.

Batting Issues in First Test

• England were bowled out twice in Perth inside 68 overs.
• Not since 1904 have England faced such a low number of balls in a defeat in a Test.
• Both captain Ben Stokes and former captain Joe Root failed to reach 10 runs in either innings.
• The opener was only the fourth English opening batsman to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

The side had just a single warm-up match before the Perth match, meaning the game in the capital would have provided valuable time in the middle.

Uncommon Day-Night Test Ahead

Furthermore, the development game would have offered practice with the day-night ball, as England set to face a rare pink-ball Test.

England have lost five of their 7 prior pink-ball Tests, while Australia have won thirteen from 14.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, Australia have the top day-night specialist in the game.

Among the probable XI in the next Test, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a first-class match using a day-night ball, while a third has just a single appearance.

Team Management Stance

Asked following the Perth match if the team would change preparations and send players to Canberra, captain Ben Stokes remained firm in refusing.

I've been asked a lot, that's how it was done a long time ago. Our preparations incredibly well and work incredibly hard whenever possible to improve our game.

Head coach the coach seemed to leave the door open when he stated:

We've just got to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to any position at the moment, but we'll work it out soon.

McCullum added that he was "sure" a batter could play in Canberra if he wanted to.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, former captain Michael Vaughan stated it would be "unprofessional" to decline the chance to participate in Canberra.

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

Vaughan continued:

It's hard to believe so traditional to propose that by getting match practice they might get slightly improved?

The approach I'd take would be, there's a pink-ball 48-hour match, you go and grab it, make the most of it, participate fully and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

The squad will travel to Brisbane midweek and do not plan to practice before the start of the week. There is the chance of an additional practice on Sunday.