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The English primary batters decided to miss a day-night practice game in Canberra, even after a heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Western Australia.

England suffered defeat within 48 hours in the first Test, leaving an 11-day break ahead of the upcoming pink-ball Test in Queensland.

The break presented the chance for squad members to participate in the England Lions two-day day-night match against a invitational side in Canberra this weekend.

Instead, just pace bowlers one bowler and another bowler, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – all of whom played in the Perth match – will travel to join the Lions.

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

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When we heard England were considering dispatching players to Canberra for the England Lions game, it was expected they would send those requiring match time.

Ex- English fast bowler and lead analyst added:

The team must take charge of 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 in the eating.

Missed Chance for Day-Night Practice

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

The tourists participated in the game in past Ashes tours, but it was not in their schedule on this occasion due to a possible short gap to the next Test had the first match had lasted all five days.

Travel from Western Australia to Canberra requires almost 240 minutes, and a additional two-hour flight from Canberra to Brisbane.

However, considering the opening match was completed in just two days – the first 48-hour Test in the series in over a century – the idea of dispatching at least the batsmen to Canberra seemed to be logical.

Performance Struggles in First Test

• England dismissed in both innings in the first Test inside 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 have England faced so few deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Each of the skipper and former captain Joe Root failed to reach 10 runs in both innings.
• The opener was only the fourth England opening batsman to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

England had just a single warm-up match before the first Test, meaning the game in the capital could have offered valuable time in the middle.

Rare Pink-Ball Test Ahead

Furthermore, the Lions match would have offered practice with the day-night ball, with England due to play a unusual day-night Test.

The tourists been defeated in 5 of their seven previous pink-ball Tests, whereas Australia have won 13 from fourteen.

With Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, Australia boast the best day-night specialist in the world.

Among the likely line-up in the next Test, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and fast bowler another have never played a red-ball game using a day-night ball, while Brydon Carse has played only one.

Leadership Position

Asked following the Perth match if England would alter preparations and send players to the capital, captain Ben Stokes remained firm they would not.

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

Coach Brendon McCullum seemed to suggest flexibility when he stated:

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

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

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

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

How could it hurt taking part in two days of cricket using the day-night ball in evening conditions?

He continued:

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

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

England are scheduled to fly to Queensland on Wednesday and do not plan to train before the start of the week. There is the possibility of an additional practice on Sunday.