🔗 Share this article

The English key batters chose to skip a day-night tour match in Canberra, even after a comprehensive defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists lost within two days in the first Test, leaving an extended gap before the second pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

This gap opened up the option for players to participate in the England Lions 48-hour pink-ball match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra this weekend.

However, just pace bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, along with batter Jacob Bethell – none of whom featured in the first Test – will travel to join the Lions.

It is understood that not one of the Perth players requested to play in the capital match.

Ex- England Star Calls Decision "Strange"

Upon learning the team thought about sending players to Canberra for the England Lions game, it was expected they would send players in need of practice.

Ex- English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator added:

The team must take charge of their preparation and how they perform during matches. They are responsible for giving it their best shot of winning the Ashes. The proof of the pudding will be with the results.

Lost Opportunity for Pink-Ball Experience

This match against the invitational side has long been customary for visiting teams down under.

England have played in the game in past Ashes tours, but was left out from their plans this time due to a possible short gap to the next Test had the Perth Test gone all five days.

The flight from Perth to Canberra takes almost four hours, and a additional 120-minute flight from the capital to Brisbane.

Yet, given the opening match was completed in just two days – the first 48-hour Ashes Test in over a century – the thought of sending at least the batters to the capital seemed to be logical.

Performance Struggles in Perth

• England dismissed in both innings in the first Test inside 67.3 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England survived such a low number of deliveries in a defeat in a Test match.
• Each of the skipper and former captain Joe Root didn't make 10 runs in both innings.
• The opener was one of just four English opener to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

England had just a single warm-up match before the first Test, meaning the game in Canberra could have offered much-needed batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Test Coming Up

In addition, the development game provided practice with the pink ball, with England set to face a rare day-night Test.

The tourists been defeated in 5 of their 7 prior day-nighters, whereas the hosts have won 13 from fourteen.

With Mitchell Starc, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, the home side have the top day-night specialist in the game.

Among the probable line-up in Brisbane, gloveman one player and pace bowler another are yet to experience a first-class match with a day-night ball, while a third has just a single appearance.

Leadership Position

Asked following the first Test if England would alter their plans and dispatch players to the capital, captain Ben Stokes was adamant they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that was the method in the past. We prepare thoroughly and train intensely whenever possible we get the opportunity.

Coach the coach appeared to suggest flexibility when he said:

We need to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to a fixed plan currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach continued that he was "sure" a batsman would be allowed to participate in Canberra should they wish.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

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

How could it hurt playing 48 hours of cricket using the day-night ball in evening conditions?

He added:

It's hard to believe so traditional to propose that by playing cricket they might get a little bit better?

The approach I'd take is, there's a day-night 48-hour match, you go and grab it, go and take it, play those two days and give yourself the optimal preparation.

England will travel to Queensland midweek and are not scheduled to train until Monday. Exists the possibility of an additional practice on Sunday.