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The English key batters decided to miss a day-night practice game in Canberra, despite a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

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

This gap presented the option for players to participate in the England Lions two-day pink-ball fixture versus a Prime Minister's XI in the capital this weekend.

Instead, only fast bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batter a young player – all of whom played in the first Test – are set to go to join the Lions.

Reports indicate that not one of the first-Test players asked to participate in the Canberra match.

Ex- English Star Calls Decision "Strange"

When we heard England were considering dispatching squad members to the capital for the England Lions match, we assumed it would be players requiring match time.

The former English fast bowler and chief cricket commentator added:

The team must take charge of their preparation and their performances on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot to win the Ashes. The proof of the pudding will be with the results.

Lost Chance for Pink-Ball Practice

The fixture with the Prime Minister's XI is a tradition for visiting teams to Australia.

England participated in the game in past series in Australia, but was left out in their schedule on this occasion due to a potential short gap to the next Test had the Perth Test gone all five days.

The flight from Western Australia to the capital takes just under 240 minutes, with a further two-hour flight from Canberra and Brisbane.

Yet, considering the first Test finished so quickly – the first 48-hour Test in the series in over a century – the idea of sending some of the batters to the capital seemed to be logical.

Batting Issues in First Test

• The tourists dismissed twice in Perth in under 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 has the team faced such a low number of balls in losing a Test match.
• Each of the skipper and former captain Joe Root didn't make double figures in either innings.
• Zak Crawley was only the fourth English opener to register a pair in an Ashes match.

England played only one warm-up match prior to the first Test, so the fixture in the capital could have offered valuable time in the middle.

Rare Day-Night Test Ahead

Furthermore, the Lions match provided practice with the day-night ball, with the team due to play a rare day-night Test.

England have lost five of their 7 prior pink-ball Tests, while Australia have won 13 from 14.

With Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in the first Test, the home side boast the top day-night specialist in the world.

Of England's probable line-up in the next Test, gloveman Jamie Smith and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a first-class match using a pink ball, and Brydon Carse has played only one.

Team Management Stance

Asked following the Perth match whether the team would change preparations and dispatch players to Canberra, captain Ben Stokes was adamant in refusing.

I've been asked repeatedly, that was the method in the past. We prepare incredibly well and work incredibly hard whenever possible to improve our game.

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

We need to determine what the pros and cons are. We haven't committed to a fixed plan at the moment, but we'll work it out in a couple of days.

McCullum continued that he was "sure" a batter could play in the capital if he wanted to.

Concerns from Former Captain

Commenting on Saturday, ex-skipper a well-known figure said it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the opportunity to participate in Canberra.

How could it hurt playing 48 hours of the game using the pink ball under lights?

Vaughan continued:

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

My method would be, 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 best chance.

England will travel to Queensland on Wednesday and are not scheduled to practice until Monday. Exists the possibility of an extra training session on Sunday.