England's Primary Batsmen Miss Pink-Ball Practice Game

England's key batsmen decided to skip a day-night tour match in the capital, even after a comprehensive loss in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists were beaten within 48 hours in Perth, creating an extended gap before the upcoming day-night Test in Queensland.

The break presented the chance for players to join the England Lions two-day pink-ball fixture against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, just fast bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, plus batsman a young player – all of whom played in the first Test – will travel and link up with the Lions.

It is understood that none of the Perth XI requested to play in the Canberra match.

Former England Star Calls Move "Bizarre"

When we heard England thought about sending players to Canberra for the England Lions game, it was expected it would be players in need of match time.

The former English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator continued:

England must take charge of their preparation and how they perform on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot of winning the Ashes. The real test comes with the results.

Missed Opportunity for Pink-Ball Experience

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

England participated in the fixture in past Ashes tours, but was left out from their plans this time because of a potential short gap to Brisbane if the Perth Test had lasted the full duration.

The flight from Perth to the capital requires just under 240 minutes, with a additional 120-minute flight from Canberra to Queensland.

Yet, given the opening match finished in just two days – marking the first 48-hour Test in the series in over a century – the thought of dispatching at least the batsmen to Canberra seemed to be logical.

Performance Issues in Perth

• England dismissed in both innings in Perth inside 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England faced such a low number of balls in losing a Test match.
• Each of the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach double figures in either innings.
• Zak Crawley was only the fourth English opening batsman to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

England had just a single practice game before the Perth match, so the fixture in Canberra would have provided valuable batting practice.

Uncommon Pink-Ball Test Coming Up

Furthermore, the Lions match provided practice using the pink ball, with England due to play a unusual pink-ball Test.

England been defeated in five of their 7 prior pink-ball Tests, whereas the hosts have won 13 from fourteen.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who took a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, the home side boast the best pink-ball bowler in the game.

Of England's probable XI in Brisbane, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a red-ball game using a pink ball, and a third has played only one.

Leadership Position

Questioned after the first Test whether the team would change preparations and send players to Canberra, the skipper remained firm they would not.

I've been asked repeatedly, that was the method in the past. Our preparations incredibly well and work incredibly hard every day to improve our game.

Coach Brendon McCullum appeared to leave the door open when he said:

We need to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to a fixed plan currently, but we'll work it out soon.

McCullum continued that he was "sure" a batsman would be allowed to participate in the capital should they wish.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Commenting on Saturday, former captain Michael Vaughan said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the opportunity to participate in the capital.

What harm is it taking part in 48 hours of cricket with the day-night ball under lights?

He added:

It's hard to believe so old school to propose that by getting match practice they could become slightly improved?

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

The squad are scheduled to fly to Brisbane on Wednesday and do not plan to practice until Monday. There is the possibility of an extra training session on Sunday.