🔗 Share this article

The English main batters have opted to skip a pink-ball tour match in Canberra, even after a heavy loss in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists suffered defeat in under 48 hours in the first Test, leaving an 11-day break ahead of the upcoming day-night Test in Brisbane.

The break opened up the option for players to join the development squad two-day pink-ball fixture versus a invitational side in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, only fast bowlers one bowler and Matthew Potts, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom played in the first Test – will travel and link up with the Lions.

It is understood that not one of the first-Test players asked to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Former England Star Describes Decision "Unusual"

When we heard England were considering dispatching squad members to Canberra for the development squad game, it was expected they would send those in need of match time.

The former English paceman and chief cricket commentator added:

The team are responsible for their preparation and their performances on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot to win the series. The real test comes with the results.

Lost Opportunity for Day-Night Practice

The fixture with the invitational side is a tradition for touring sides down under.

England participated in the game in past series in Australia, but it was not from their plans this time because of a possible short gap to Brisbane if the Perth Test had lasted all five days.

The flight from Perth to Canberra takes just under four hours, with a further two-hour flight from the capital to Brisbane.

However, considering the first Test was completed so quickly – the first two-day Ashes Test in over a century – the thought of dispatching some of the batsmen to the capital seemed to be logical.

Batting Struggles in Perth

• England were bowled out twice in the first Test in under 68 overs.
• It's been since 1904 has the team 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 both innings.
• Zak Crawley became only the fourth English opener to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

The side played only one practice game before the Perth match, meaning the game in the capital would have provided valuable batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Challenge Ahead

Furthermore, the development game would have offered practice using the day-night ball, with the team due to play a rare day-night Test.

The tourists have lost 5 of their 7 previous pink-ball Tests, while Australia have won 13 from fourteen.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in Perth, the home side have the best day-night specialist in the game.

Among the probable line-up in Brisbane, gloveman one player and fast 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 after the Perth match whether the team would alter preparations and dispatch squad members to the capital, the skipper was adamant they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that was the method a long time ago. Our preparations thoroughly and train intensely every day to improve our game.

Coach the coach appeared to leave the door open when he said:

We've just got to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to any position at the moment, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach added that he was "sure" a batter would be allowed to participate in the capital should they wish.

Criticism from Former Captain

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

What harm is it playing 48 hours of cricket with the day-night ball in evening conditions?

Vaughan continued:

I can't be so old school to propose that by playing cricket they might get a little bit better?

My method is, you've got a pink-ball two-day game, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, play those two days and give yourself the best chance.

England will travel to Queensland on Wednesday and do not plan to practice before the start of the week. Exists the chance of an additional practice on Sunday.