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England's main batsmen have opted to miss a day-night tour match in Canberra, despite a heavy loss in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists lost in under 48 hours in Perth, creating an extended break ahead of the upcoming pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

This gap presented the chance for squad members to join the England Lions 48-hour day-night match versus a Prime Minister's XI in the capital this weekend.

Instead, only pace bowlers one bowler and Matthew Potts, plus batsman a young player – all of whom played in the Perth match – will travel to join the Lions.

It is understood that none of the first-Test XI requested to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Former English Player Calls Move "Strange"

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

Ex- English fast bowler and lead analyst added:

The team must take charge of how they prepare and how they perform during matches. It's their job to doing everything possible to win the series. The real test will be with the results.

Lost Chance for Pink-Ball Experience

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

England participated in the game in previous series in Australia, but it was not from their plans this time because of a potential short gap to Brisbane if the Perth Test had lasted all five days.

The flight from Perth to the capital takes just under 240 minutes, with a further 120-minute journey from the capital to Queensland.

Yet, considering the opening match finished in just two days – marking the first two-day Ashes Test since 1921 – the idea of sending at least the batsmen to the capital seemed to make sense.

Performance Struggles in Perth

• England dismissed twice in Perth in under 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England faced so few deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Both the skipper and former captain Joe Root failed to reach 10 runs in both innings.
• The opener was one of just four English opening batsman to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

England played only one practice game before the Perth match, meaning the fixture in the capital could have offered valuable batting practice.

Uncommon Pink-Ball Test Ahead

In addition, the Lions match provided experience using the day-night ball, with England due to play a rare pink-ball Test.

The tourists have lost five of their seven previous pink-ball Tests, whereas Australia triumphed in thirteen from fourteen.

With a key bowler, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, Australia have the top pink-ball bowler in the world.

Among the likely XI in Brisbane, wicketkeeper one player and fast bowler another have never played a first-class match using a pink ball, while Brydon Carse has played only one.

Team Management Stance

Asked after the first Test if the team would alter preparations and send players to the capital, the skipper remained firm in refusing.

I've been asked a lot, that was the method in the past. We prepare incredibly well and train incredibly hard every day we get the opportunity.

Coach the coach appeared to suggest flexibility when he said:

We need to determine what the pros and cons are. 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 Canberra if he wanted to.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the chance to play in Canberra.

What harm is it playing 48 hours of the game using the day-night ball in evening conditions?

He added:

I can't be so traditional to propose that by playing cricket they could become a little bit better?

The approach I'd take would be, you've got a pink-ball two-day game, you seize the opportunity, make the most of it, play those two days and give yourself the optimal preparation.

England will travel to Brisbane on Wednesday and do not plan to train until Monday. There is the possibility of an additional training session at the weekend.