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England's primary batsmen chose to avoid a day-night tour match in Canberra, despite a heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.

England lost in under two days in Perth, creating an extended gap before the upcoming day-night Test in Queensland.

This gap opened up the chance for players to join the development squad 48-hour day-night match against a Prime Minister's XI in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, only pace bowlers one bowler and Matthew Potts, along with batter a young player – none of whom featured in the first Test – are set to go and link up with the Lions.

Sources suggest that none of the first-Test XI asked to participate in the capital fixture.

Former England Star Describes Decision "Bizarre"

When we heard England were considering dispatching players to the capital for the England Lions match, we assumed it would be those in need of practice.

Ex- England paceman and lead analyst added:

The team are responsible for their preparation and their performances during matches. They are responsible for giving it their best shot to win the series. The proof of the pudding will be with the results.

Lost Chance for Day-Night Practice

This match with the Prime Minister's XI has long been customary for visiting teams to Australia.

England participated in the fixture in previous series in Australia, but it was not from their plans this time because of a potential short gap to the next Test had the first match had lasted the full duration.

Travel from Western Australia to Canberra takes just under 240 minutes, with a additional 120-minute flight from the capital to Brisbane.

Yet, given the opening match was completed so quickly – marking the first 48-hour Test in the series in over a century – the idea of dispatching at least the batsmen to the capital seemed to make sense.

Batting Struggles in First Test

• England were bowled out twice in the first Test inside 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England faced so few deliveries in losing a Test.
• Each of captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper didn't make double figures in both innings.
• Zak Crawley was only the fourth English opener to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

The side had just a single warm-up match before the Perth match, meaning the fixture in Canberra could have offered valuable time in the middle.

Rare Pink-Ball Test Ahead

In addition, the development game would have offered practice using the pink 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 13 from fourteen.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who took 10 wickets in the first Test, Australia boast the top day-night specialist in the game.

Among the probable line-up in Brisbane, gloveman Jamie Smith and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a red-ball game using a day-night ball, and Brydon Carse has played only one.

Team Management Stance

Questioned following the first Test if the team would alter their plans and send players to the capital, the skipper was adamant in refusing.

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

Head coach the coach seemed to leave the door open when he said:

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

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

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Commenting on Saturday, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan said it would be "unprofessional" to decline the chance to participate in Canberra.

How could it hurt taking part in two days of the game 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 slightly improved?

The approach I'd take would be, there's a pink-ball two-day game, you go and grab it, go and take it, participate fully and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

The squad are scheduled to fly to Brisbane midweek and are not scheduled to practice until Monday. Exists the chance of an additional practice at the weekend.