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The English key batters decided to avoid a pink-ball tour match in Canberra, despite a comprehensive defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Western Australia.

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

The break opened up the chance for squad members to participate in the development squad 48-hour day-night fixture against a invitational side in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, only fast bowlers one bowler and another bowler, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom featured in the first Test – will travel to join the Lions.

Sources suggest that none of the first-Test players requested to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Ex- English Player Describes Move "Bizarre"

Upon learning the team were considering sending squad members to Canberra for the England Lions match, it was expected they would send those requiring practice.

Ex- England fast bowler and lead analyst continued:

England are responsible for their preparation and their performances during matches. It's their job to doing everything possible of winning the series. The proof of the pudding comes in the eating.

Lost Chance for Day-Night Practice

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

England have played in the game in previous Ashes tours, but was left out in their schedule on this occasion due to a potential tight turnaround to Brisbane if the Perth Test gone all five days.

The flight from Perth to the capital takes just under four hours, and a further 120-minute journey between Canberra and Queensland.

However, given the first Test finished so quickly – the first two-day Ashes Test in over a century – the thought of sending some of the batsmen to the capital seemed to be logical.

Batting Struggles in First Test

• The tourists were bowled out twice in the first Test inside 68 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s has the team survived so few deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Both the skipper and ex-skipper didn't make double figures in either innings.
• The opener was only the fourth English opening batsman to record a pair in an Ashes match.

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

Rare Pink-Ball Test Ahead

In addition, the Lions match provided practice with the pink ball, as the team due to play a rare pink-ball Test.

England been defeated in five of their 7 previous day-nighters, whereas the hosts triumphed in 13 from 14.

With a key bowler, who took a ten-wicket haul in Perth, Australia boast the top day-night specialist in the world.

Among the probable line-up in Brisbane, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a first-class match with a pink ball, and Brydon Carse has just a single appearance.

Team Management Stance

Asked after the first Test whether the team would alter preparations and send players to the capital, captain Ben Stokes was adamant they would not.

I've been asked a lot, that was the method a long time ago. We prepare thoroughly and train intensely whenever possible to improve our game.

Head coach the coach appeared to leave the door open when he stated:

We need to determine what the pros and cons are. We haven't committed to any position at the moment, but we'll work it out soon.

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

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Speaking recently, ex-skipper a well-known figure stated it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the chance to participate in the capital.

What harm is it playing two days of cricket with the pink ball under lights?

He continued:

I can't be so old school to propose that by playing cricket they could become slightly improved?

The approach I'd take is, there's a pink-ball two-day game, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, play those two days and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

England are scheduled to fly to Brisbane on Wednesday and do not plan to train before the start of the week. There is the chance of an extra training session on Sunday.