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The English main batters chose to skip a day-night practice game in the capital, despite a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists lost within 48 hours in the first Test, leaving an extended gap ahead of the upcoming day-night Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the possibility for squad members to participate in the development squad 48-hour pink-ball fixture against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra this weekend.

However, just pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom played in the first Test – are set to go and link up with the Lions.

Sources suggest that not one of the first-Test XI requested to play in the capital fixture.

Ex- English Star Calls Decision "Unusual"

Upon learning England thought about dispatching players to Canberra for the England Lions game, we assumed they would send players requiring match time.

The former England paceman and lead analyst continued:

England are responsible for how they prepare and their performances on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot to win the series. The real test will be in the eating.

Missed Opportunity for Day-Night Practice

This match with the Prime Minister's XI has long been customary for touring sides down under.

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

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

Yet, given the first Test finished so quickly – marking the first two-day Test in the series since 1921 – the thought of dispatching some of the batters to the capital seemed to make sense.

Performance Struggles in First Test

• The tourists dismissed twice in the first Test in under 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 have England survived so few deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Each of the skipper and ex-skipper didn't make 10 runs in either innings.
• The opener was one of just four England opening batsman to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

England played only one practice game prior to the Perth match, meaning the game in Canberra would have provided much-needed batting practice.

Rare Pink-Ball Challenge Coming Up

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

England been defeated in 5 of their 7 previous pink-ball Tests, whereas Australia have won 13 from 14.

With Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, the home side boast the best pink-ball bowler in the world.

Of England's probable XI in the next Test, gloveman one player and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a first-class match using a day-night ball, while Brydon Carse has just a single appearance.

Leadership Stance

Questioned following the Perth match whether England would alter preparations and dispatch squad members to the capital, the skipper remained firm they would not.

This question has come up a lot, that's how it was done in the past. We prepare thoroughly and train intensely every day we get the opportunity.

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

We've just got to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We're not married to any position currently, but we'll work it out in a couple of days.

The coach added that he was "confident" a batsman could play in the capital if he wanted to.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Speaking on Saturday, former captain a well-known figure said it would be "unprofessional" to decline the opportunity to play in Canberra.

How could it hurt playing 48 hours of the game with the pink ball under lights?

He added:

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

The approach I'd take is, you've got a pink-ball two-day game, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, participate fully and give yourself the best chance.

England are scheduled to fly to Brisbane on Wednesday and are not scheduled to practice until Monday. There is the chance of an extra training session at the weekend.