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England's primary batsmen have opted to avoid a day-night practice game in Canberra, despite a heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.

England lost within 48 hours in Perth, creating an extended break before the second pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

The break opened up the option for players to join the development squad two-day day-night fixture against a Prime Minister's XI in the capital this weekend.

Instead, only fast bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, plus batter a young player – all of whom featured in the Perth match – will travel and link up with the Lions.

Reports indicate that none of the first-Test XI asked to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Ex- English Star Describes Decision "Bizarre"

When we heard England were considering sending players to the capital for the England Lions game, it was expected they would send players in need of match time.

The former England paceman and lead analyst added:

The team are responsible for their preparation and their performances on the field. They are responsible for giving it their best shot of winning the Ashes. The real test will be with the results.

Missed Chance for Pink-Ball Practice

This match against the Prime Minister's XI has long been customary for visiting teams down under.

England participated in the fixture in past Ashes tours, but it was not from their plans on this occasion due to a potential short gap to Brisbane had the Perth Test had lasted all five days.

Travel from Perth to Canberra takes just under four hours, and a additional 120-minute journey between Canberra and Brisbane.

Yet, considering the first Test was completed in just two days – marking the first two-day Test in the series in over a century – the idea of dispatching some of the batsmen to Canberra appeared to be logical.

Batting Struggles in First Test

• England dismissed in both innings in Perth inside 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s has the team faced so few deliveries in a defeat in a Test match.
• Both the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach double figures in either innings.
• Zak Crawley became only the fourth England opening batsman to register a pair in an Ashes Test.

The side had just a single warm-up match prior to the first Test, so the game in Canberra could have offered valuable time in the middle.

Rare Day-Night Test Coming Up

Furthermore, the Lions match would have offered experience using the pink ball, with the team due to play a unusual pink-ball Test.

The tourists have lost 5 of their seven prior day-nighters, whereas the hosts triumphed in 13 from fourteen.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who took 10 wickets in Perth, Australia have the best pink-ball bowler in the game.

Of England's probable XI in Brisbane, wicketkeeper one player and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a red-ball game using a pink ball, and a third has just a single appearance.

Team Management Stance

Asked following the Perth match if the team would alter their plans and send squad members to Canberra, captain Ben Stokes remained firm they would not.

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

Head coach the coach seemed to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We've just got to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to a fixed plan currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

McCullum added that he was "confident" a batsman would be allowed to participate in Canberra should they wish.

Criticism from Former Captain

Commenting recently, ex-skipper a well-known figure stated it would be "amateurish" to decline the opportunity to play in Canberra.

How could it hurt playing two days of the game with the pink ball in evening conditions?

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 day-night two-day game, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, participate fully and provide yourself the best chance.

The squad will travel to Brisbane midweek and do not plan to train before the start of the week. Exists the chance of an extra training session on Sunday.