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The English key batters decided to skip a day-night tour match in Canberra, even after a devastating defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists suffered defeat within two days in Perth, creating an 11-day gap ahead of the second pink-ball Test in Queensland.

This gap opened up the chance for squad members to participate in the England Lions 48-hour day-night match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, just fast bowlers one bowler and Matthew Potts, plus batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom played in the Perth match – are set to go to join the Lions.

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

Former England Player Calls Move "Unusual"

Upon learning England were considering sending players to Canberra for the England Lions match, we assumed they would send those in need of match time.

The former English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator added:

England are responsible for their preparation and how they perform during matches. It's their job to doing everything possible to win the series. The proof of the pudding comes with the results.

Lost Opportunity for Day-Night Experience

The fixture against the Prime Minister's XI has long been customary for visiting teams to Australia.

The tourists have played in the fixture in past series in Australia, but it was not from their plans this time because of a potential short gap to the next Test if the first match gone all five days.

The flight from Western Australia to the capital takes almost four hours, and a additional 120-minute flight from Canberra to Queensland.

Yet, considering the opening match was completed so quickly – marking the first 48-hour Test in the series in over a century – the idea of dispatching some of the batters to the capital appeared to make sense.

Performance Issues in First Test

• The tourists dismissed in both innings in the first Test in under 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 has the team survived such a low number of deliveries in losing a Test match.
• Each of captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper didn't make double figures in either innings.
• Zak Crawley was one of just four England opener to register a pair in an Ashes Test.

England played only one warm-up match prior to the Perth match, meaning the fixture in Canberra could have offered valuable batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Test Coming Up

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

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

With a key bowler, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in Perth, the home side have the best day-night specialist in the world.

Among the likely line-up in the next Test, gloveman one player and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a red-ball game using a day-night ball, and a third has played only one.

Leadership Position

Asked after the Perth match whether the team would alter preparations and dispatch squad members to Canberra, the skipper remained firm they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that was the method a long time ago. We prepare thoroughly and work intensely every day we get the opportunity.

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

We've just got to determine what the pros and cons are. We're not married to a fixed plan at the moment, but we'll decide soon.

McCullum continued that he was "sure" a batter would be allowed to participate in the capital if he wanted to.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Speaking on Saturday, former captain Michael Vaughan said it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the chance to play in Canberra.

How could it hurt playing 48 hours of cricket with the day-night ball under lights?

He continued:

It's hard to believe so old school 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 go and grab it, go and take it, play those two days and provide yourself the best chance.

The squad will travel to Queensland on Wednesday and are not scheduled to practice until Monday. Exists the possibility of an additional training session at the weekend.