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The English main batters chose to avoid a day-night practice game in the capital, despite a devastating loss in the opening Ashes Test in Western Australia.

England were beaten in under two days in the first Test, leaving an extended gap ahead of the second day-night Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the option for squad members to participate in the development squad 48-hour pink-ball match against a invitational side in the capital this weekend.

However, just fast bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, along with batter Jacob Bethell – all of whom featured in the Perth match – will travel to join the development squad.

It is understood that none of the Perth players requested to participate in the Canberra match.

Former England Player Calls Move "Unusual"

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

Ex- England paceman and lead analyst continued:

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

Lost Opportunity for Day-Night Practice

This match with the invitational side is a tradition for visiting teams down under.

The tourists participated in the fixture in past Ashes tours, but was left out in their schedule on this occasion because of a possible short gap to the next Test if the Perth Test gone the full duration.

Travel from Western Australia to the capital takes almost four hours, with a further 120-minute flight between Canberra and Brisbane.

However, considering the opening match was completed so quickly – marking the first two-day Test in the series in over a century – the thought of dispatching some of the batters to the capital appeared to make sense.

Performance Issues in Perth

• The tourists dismissed twice in the first Test in under 68 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s have England faced such a low number of deliveries in a defeat in a Test match.
• Both the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach double figures in both innings.
• Zak Crawley was only the fourth England opener to register a pair in an Ashes Test.

England had just a single warm-up match prior to the first Test, meaning the fixture in the capital would have provided valuable time in the middle.

Uncommon Day-Night Test Coming Up

In addition, the development game provided experience with the pink ball, with the team due to play a unusual pink-ball Test.

The tourists been defeated in five of their seven previous pink-ball Tests, whereas the hosts have won 13 from fourteen.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who claimed 10 wickets in the first Test, the home side have the top day-night specialist in the world.

Among the likely line-up in Brisbane, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a red-ball game with a day-night ball, and a third has played only one.

Team Management Stance

Questioned following the first Test if the team would change preparations and dispatch squad members to Canberra, the skipper was adamant in refusing.

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

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

We've just got to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed 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 Canberra if he wanted to.

Concerns from Former Captain

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

How could it hurt playing two days of the game using the day-night ball under lights?

He continued:

It's hard to believe so traditional to suggest that by getting match practice they could become slightly improved?

My method is, there's a day-night two-day game, you go and grab it, make the most of it, play those two days and give yourself the optimal preparation.

England are scheduled to fly to Brisbane midweek and are not scheduled to practice before the start of the week. There is the possibility of an additional training session on Sunday.