England's Primary Batters Skip Pink-Ball Practice Game

England's primary batsmen have opted to avoid a pink-ball practice game in the capital, even after a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

England suffered defeat within two days in Perth, leaving an extended gap before the second pink-ball Test in Queensland.

The break presented the option for players to join the England Lions 48-hour pink-ball match against a Prime Minister's XI in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

However, just fast bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batsman a young player – none of whom featured in the Perth match – will travel to join the development squad.

Reports indicate that not one of the Perth players requested to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Former English Star Describes Move "Strange"

When we heard the team thought about sending players to the capital for the England Lions game, we assumed it would be those requiring practice.

Ex- English fast bowler and lead analyst added:

The team are responsible for how they prepare and their performances during matches. It's their job to giving it their best shot of winning the series. The proof of the pudding will be with the results.

Missed Opportunity for Pink-Ball Experience

The fixture against the invitational side has long been customary for touring sides to Australia.

England participated in the fixture in past Ashes tours, but it was not in their schedule on this occasion due to a possible tight turnaround to the next Test if the Perth Test had lasted all five days.

Travel from Western Australia to Canberra takes almost 240 minutes, with a further two-hour journey between Canberra to Queensland.

Yet, considering the first Test finished so quickly – the first two-day Ashes Test in over a century – the thought of sending some of the batters to the capital appeared to be logical.

Batting Issues in First Test

• England were bowled out in both innings in Perth inside 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 has the team faced so few deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Each of captain Ben Stokes and former captain Joe Root failed to reach double figures in both innings.
• Zak Crawley was one of just four England opener to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

The side had just a single warm-up match prior to the Perth match, meaning the fixture in the capital would have provided much-needed batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Test Coming Up

In addition, the Lions match provided practice using the pink ball, as the team due to play a unusual day-night Test.

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

With Mitchell Starc, who took a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, Australia boast the best pink-ball bowler in the game.

Among the likely XI in the next Test, gloveman Jamie Smith and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are yet to experience a red-ball game using a pink ball, while Brydon Carse has just a single appearance.

Leadership Position

Asked following the first Test if England would alter preparations and dispatch players to Canberra, captain Ben Stokes was adamant in refusing.

I've been asked a lot, that was the method a long time ago. We prepare incredibly well and train incredibly hard every day to improve our game.

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 any position currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

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

Criticism from Former Captain

Speaking on Saturday, former captain Michael Vaughan stated it would be "amateurish" to pass up the opportunity to participate in Canberra.

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

Vaughan continued:

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

My method is, there's a pink-ball two-day game, you go and grab it, make the most of it, play those two days and give yourself the best chance.

England will travel to Brisbane midweek and do not plan to practice before the start of the week. Exists the possibility of an additional training session on Sunday.