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England's key batters chose to skip a day-night practice game in the capital, even after a devastating loss in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists were beaten in under 48 hours in the first Test, creating an 11-day gap ahead of the second day-night Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the option for squad members to join the England Lions 48-hour day-night match against a invitational side in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

However, just fast bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, along with batter a young player – none of whom played in the first Test – will travel to join the development squad.

Sources suggest that none of the first-Test players asked to play in the capital fixture.

Former English Star Describes Move "Bizarre"

Upon learning the team were considering sending squad members to Canberra for the development squad game, it was expected they would send those requiring practice.

Ex- English paceman and lead analyst added:

England must take charge of how they prepare and how they perform during matches. It's their job to doing everything possible to win the series. The proof of the pudding will be with the results.

Lost 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 series in Australia, but was left out from their plans this time due to a possible tight turnaround to Brisbane if the first match had lasted all five days.

The flight from Western Australia to Canberra takes almost 240 minutes, and a additional 120-minute flight between the capital to Brisbane.

Yet, considering the opening match finished so quickly – marking the first two-day Test in the series since 1921 – the idea of sending some of the batsmen to the capital seemed to be logical.

Batting Struggles in First Test

• The tourists dismissed twice in the first Test inside 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 have England faced such a low number of balls in losing a Test match.
• Each of the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach 10 runs in either innings.
• Zak Crawley became one of just four English opener to record a pair in an Ashes match.

England had just a single warm-up match prior to the Perth match, meaning the fixture in Canberra could have offered valuable time in the middle.

Rare Day-Night Test Ahead

In addition, the Lions match provided practice with the pink ball, as the team set to face a rare day-night Test.

England have lost 5 of their seven prior day-nighters, while the hosts have won thirteen from 14.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who took a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, the home side boast the best day-night specialist in the game.

Among the likely line-up in Brisbane, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a first-class match using a day-night ball, and a third has just a single appearance.

Leadership Stance

Questioned after the Perth match whether the team would change their plans and send players to the capital, captain Ben Stokes was adamant they would not.

I've been asked repeatedly, that was the method a long time ago. Our preparations thoroughly and work incredibly hard every day to improve our game.

Coach Brendon McCullum seemed to leave the door open when he stated:

We've just got to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to a fixed plan currently, but we'll decide soon.

The coach continued that he was "confident" a batsman could play in the capital if he wanted to.

Concerns from Former Captain

Commenting on Saturday, former captain Michael Vaughan stated it would be "amateurish" to pass up the chance to participate in the capital.

What harm is it taking part in two days of the game using the day-night ball in evening conditions?

Vaughan added:

It's hard to believe so old school to propose that by getting match practice they could become a little bit better?

My method 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.

The squad are scheduled to fly to Brisbane on Wednesday and are not scheduled to train until Monday. There is the chance of an extra training session at the weekend.