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England's key batsmen chose to miss a pink-ball practice game in Canberra, even after a comprehensive defeat in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists were beaten in under two days in the first Test, leaving an 11-day break before the upcoming pink-ball Test in Queensland.

This gap presented the chance for squad members to join the England Lions two-day pink-ball fixture versus a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday.

However, just fast bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, along with batter a young player – none of whom played in the first Test – will travel and link up with the development squad.

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

Former England Star Calls Move "Strange"

When we heard the team thought about dispatching squad members to the capital for the England Lions match, we assumed they would send players in need of match time.

The former English fast bowler and lead analyst added:

England are responsible for their preparation and their performances during matches. It's their job to giving it their best shot of winning the series. The proof of the pudding comes with the results.

Missed Chance for Day-Night Experience

This match with the Prime Minister's XI is a tradition for visiting teams down under.

England have played in the fixture in previous Ashes tours, but it was not from their plans on this occasion because of a potential tight turnaround to Brisbane had the first match gone the full duration.

The flight from Western Australia to the capital takes just under four hours, with a additional two-hour journey between the capital and Brisbane.

Yet, given the first Test finished so quickly – marking the first two-day Test in the series in over a century – the thought of dispatching at least the batters to Canberra appeared to make sense.

Performance Struggles in Perth

• The tourists were bowled out in both innings in the first Test in under 67.3 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s has the team survived so few balls in losing a Test match.
• Both the skipper and former captain Joe Root failed to reach double figures in either innings.
• The opener became only the fourth England opening batsman to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

England played only one practice game prior to the first Test, meaning the fixture in the capital could have offered much-needed time in the middle.

Rare Day-Night Test Coming Up

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

The tourists been defeated in five of their seven prior pink-ball Tests, whereas Australia triumphed in 13 from fourteen.

With a key bowler, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, Australia boast the best day-night specialist in the world.

Among the probable XI in the next Test, gloveman one player and pace bowler Gus Atkinson are yet to experience a first-class match with a pink ball, and a third has just a single appearance.

Leadership Stance

Questioned following the Perth match if England would change preparations and send squad members to the capital, the skipper remained firm they would not.

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

Head coach Brendon McCullum seemed to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We've just got to determine what the pros and cons are. We're not married to any position currently, but we'll work it out soon.

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

Concerns from Former Captain

Speaking on Saturday, former captain a well-known figure said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the chance to play in the capital.

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

Vaughan added:

I can't be so old school to propose that by getting match practice they could become slightly improved?

The approach I'd take would be, there's a day-night 48-hour match, you go and grab it, go and take it, participate fully and provide yourself the best chance.

The squad are scheduled to fly to Queensland midweek and are not scheduled to train until Monday. There is the possibility of an extra training session at the weekend.