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The English key batsmen chose to miss a pink-ball tour match in Canberra, despite a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

England were beaten in under 48 hours in Perth, leaving an extended gap before the second day-night Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the chance for players to join the England Lions two-day pink-ball fixture against a Prime Minister's XI in the capital this weekend.

However, only pace bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batsman Jacob Bethell – all of whom featured in the Perth match – are set to go to join the development squad.

Reports indicate that none of the first-Test XI requested to play in the Canberra match.

Former England Player Describes Move "Unusual"

Upon learning England were considering sending players to Canberra for the development squad game, we assumed it would be those requiring match time.

The former England fast bowler and lead analyst continued:

The team are responsible for their preparation and how they perform on the field. It's their job to doing everything possible of winning the series. The real test comes in the eating.

Missed Chance for Pink-Ball Practice

The fixture against the Prime Minister's XI is a tradition for visiting teams down under.

The tourists participated in the fixture in previous Ashes tours, but it was not from their plans this time because of a potential short gap to Brisbane had the Perth Test had lasted the full duration.

The flight from Perth to Canberra requires almost 240 minutes, with a additional 120-minute flight between the capital to Queensland.

However, given the opening match finished so quickly – the first 48-hour Test in the series since 1921 – the idea of dispatching at least the batsmen to the capital appeared to be logical.

Batting Struggles in Perth

• The tourists dismissed in both innings in Perth in under 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England survived such a low number of balls in a defeat in a Test match.
• Both captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper failed to reach 10 runs in either innings.
• Zak Crawley was one of just four England opening batsman to register a pair in an Ashes match.

England played only one practice game before the Perth match, so the game in Canberra would have provided much-needed time in the middle.

Uncommon Day-Night Challenge Coming Up

Furthermore, the development game would have offered experience with the pink ball, with the team due to play a unusual day-night Test.

England been defeated in five of their seven prior day-nighters, while Australia have won thirteen from fourteen.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who claimed 10 wickets in the first Test, the home side boast the best day-night specialist in the game.

Among the probable XI in Brisbane, gloveman Jamie Smith and pace bowler another are yet to experience a red-ball game with a day-night ball, while a third has just a single appearance.

Leadership Stance

Asked following the first Test if the team would alter preparations and send players to Canberra, the skipper was adamant in refusing.

This question has come up a lot, that was the method in the past. Our preparations incredibly well and work incredibly hard every day to improve our game.

Coach Brendon McCullum seemed to suggest flexibility when he said:

We need to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We're not married to any position currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

McCullum continued that he was "sure" a batsman would be allowed to participate in the capital if he wanted to.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the opportunity to participate in the capital.

How could it hurt playing two days of the game using the pink ball in evening conditions?

He added:

I can't be so traditional to suggest that by getting match practice they might get slightly improved?

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 are scheduled to fly to Brisbane on Wednesday and do not plan to practice until Monday. There is the possibility of an additional practice at the weekend.