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The English key batters have opted to avoid a pink-ball tour match in the capital, despite a heavy loss in the opening Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists suffered defeat within 48 hours in the first Test, creating an extended gap before the second pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

The break presented the chance for players to join the development squad 48-hour day-night match against a invitational side in Canberra this weekend.

However, just fast bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batsman a young player – all of whom featured in the first Test – are set to go and link up with the Lions.

Reports indicate that not one of the Perth players asked to play in the capital fixture.

Ex- English Player Describes Move "Strange"

Upon learning the team were considering dispatching squad members to the capital for the England Lions match, it was expected they would send players in need of practice.

The former England paceman and chief cricket commentator added:

England are responsible for how they prepare and their performances on the field. It's their job to doing everything possible of winning the series. The real test comes with the results.

Missed Chance for Pink-Ball Experience

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

England participated in the game in previous series in Australia, but it was not in their schedule on this occasion because of a possible short gap to the next Test had the Perth Test gone all five days.

Travel from Western Australia to Canberra requires almost 240 minutes, and a further two-hour journey between Canberra to Brisbane.

Yet, given the first Test was completed so quickly – marking the first two-day Ashes Test in over a century – the idea of sending some of the batters to Canberra appeared to make sense.

Batting Struggles in First Test

• The tourists were bowled out in both innings in the first Test inside 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 has the team faced so few balls in losing a Test.
• Both the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach double figures in both innings.
• The opener became one of just four English opening batsman to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

England had just a single warm-up match before the first Test, so the fixture in the capital would have provided much-needed time in the middle.

Uncommon Day-Night Test Coming Up

Furthermore, the Lions match provided experience with the pink ball, as England set to face a rare day-night Test.

England been defeated in five of their seven previous pink-ball Tests, while Australia triumphed in thirteen from 14.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who took a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, Australia have the best pink-ball bowler in the game.

Of England's likely XI in Brisbane, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a first-class match with a day-night ball, and a third has just a single appearance.

Leadership Stance

Asked after the first Test if the team would alter preparations and send players to the capital, captain Ben Stokes remained firm in refusing.

This question has come up a lot, that's how it was done a long time ago. Our preparations incredibly well and train incredibly hard every day we get the opportunity.

Head coach the coach appeared to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We need to determine what the pros and cons are. We're not married to a fixed plan at the moment, but we'll decide soon.

McCullum continued that he was "confident" a batter could play in Canberra should they wish.

Concerns from Former Captain

Speaking recently, former captain Michael Vaughan said it would be "unprofessional" to decline the opportunity to play in the capital.

What harm is it playing two days of cricket with the pink ball in evening conditions?

He continued:

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

The approach I'd take would be, there's a pink-ball 48-hour match, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, participate fully and provide yourself the best chance.

England are scheduled to fly to Brisbane midweek and do not plan to practice before the start of the week. Exists the possibility of an additional training session at the weekend.