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The English main batsmen have opted to miss a pink-ball tour match in Canberra, despite a heavy loss in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists suffered defeat within 48 hours in Perth, creating an 11-day gap before the second pink-ball Test in Queensland.

This gap presented the possibility for players to participate in the England Lions two-day day-night fixture versus a invitational side in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, only fast bowlers one bowler and another bowler, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom played in the Perth match – are set to go and link up with the development squad.

Sources suggest that not one of the first-Test XI asked to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Ex- England Player Calls Decision "Strange"

When we heard England thought about dispatching squad members to the capital for the England Lions game, it was expected they would send players requiring match time.

Ex- England fast bowler and lead analyst continued:

England must take charge of their preparation and how they perform on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot to win the Ashes. The real test comes in the eating.

Lost Chance for Day-Night Practice

This match with the invitational side is a tradition for visiting teams down under.

England participated in the game in previous series in Australia, but was left out from their plans this time because of a possible tight turnaround to Brisbane had the first match had lasted the full duration.

Travel from Western Australia to the capital takes just under 240 minutes, with a further two-hour flight from the capital to Queensland.

However, given the first Test finished in just two days – marking the first two-day Test in the series since 1921 – the idea of sending at least the batsmen to Canberra appeared to make sense.

Performance Struggles in First Test

• The tourists were bowled out in both innings in Perth in under 67.3 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s has the team survived such a low number of balls in a defeat in a Test.
• Each of the skipper and former captain Joe Root didn't make 10 runs in both innings.
• The opener was only the fourth England opener to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

England played only one warm-up match prior to the Perth match, meaning the fixture in Canberra could have offered valuable batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Challenge Coming Up

Furthermore, the development game provided practice using the day-night ball, with England set to face a rare pink-ball Test.

The tourists have lost five of their seven previous day-nighters, while Australia have won 13 from 14.

With a key bowler, who took a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, Australia boast the best pink-ball bowler in the world.

Of England's likely XI in the next Test, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and fast bowler another are yet to experience a red-ball game with a pink ball, and Brydon Carse has just a single appearance.

Team Management Stance

Questioned after the Perth match whether England would change preparations and dispatch players to Canberra, the skipper remained firm in refusing.

I've been asked repeatedly, that's how it was done in the past. Our preparations incredibly well and work intensely whenever possible to improve our game.

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

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

The coach added that he was "confident" a batsman could play in Canberra if he wanted to.

Criticism from Former Captain

Commenting on Saturday, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan said it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the opportunity to play in Canberra.

What harm is it playing 48 hours of the game using the pink ball under lights?

Vaughan added:

I can't be so traditional to suggest that by playing cricket they might get a little bit better?

The approach I'd take would be, there's a day-night 48-hour match, you go and grab it, go and take it, participate fully and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

England are scheduled to fly to Queensland midweek and do not plan to train until Monday. Exists the possibility of an extra training session on Sunday.