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The English primary batters chose to avoid a day-night tour match in the capital, despite a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists suffered defeat in under 48 hours in the first Test, creating an 11-day break before the second pink-ball Test in Queensland.

This gap opened up the possibility for squad members to join the development squad two-day day-night match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra this weekend.

However, just fast bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, plus batsman a young player – none of whom played in the Perth match – are set to go and link up with the Lions.

Sources suggest that not one of the Perth players requested to play in the capital fixture.

Ex- England Player Describes Move "Unusual"

Upon learning the team thought about dispatching squad members to Canberra for the England Lions match, it was expected it would be those requiring practice.

Ex- English fast bowler and lead analyst added:

The team are responsible for how they prepare 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 comes with the results.

Missed Chance for Day-Night Experience

The fixture against the invitational side has long been customary for visiting teams down under.

England participated in the game in past Ashes tours, but it was not from their plans this time due to a possible short gap to the next Test if the first match gone all five days.

The flight from Perth to the capital takes almost 240 minutes, with a further 120-minute journey from the capital and Brisbane.

However, considering the first Test finished so quickly – the first two-day Test in the series in over a century – the thought of sending at least the batsmen to the capital seemed to make sense.

Batting Struggles in Perth

• England dismissed in both innings in Perth inside 68 overs.
• Not since 1904 has the team survived such a low number of balls in a defeat in a Test match.
• Each of the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach double figures in both innings.
• The opener was only the fourth English opening batsman to register a pair in an Ashes Test.

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

Uncommon Pink-Ball Test Coming Up

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

England been defeated in five of their seven previous day-nighters, while Australia triumphed in thirteen from fourteen.

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

Among the probable line-up in the next Test, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and pace bowler another have never played a first-class match with a day-night ball, and Brydon Carse has just a single appearance.

Leadership Stance

Questioned after the first Test whether England would change preparations and dispatch squad members to Canberra, the skipper remained firm they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that was the method a long time ago. We prepare incredibly well and work incredibly hard every day to improve our game.

Head coach Brendon McCullum appeared to suggest flexibility when he stated:

We've just got to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We're not married to a fixed plan currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach added that he was "confident" a batter would be allowed to participate in Canberra should they wish.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Commenting on Saturday, former captain Michael Vaughan stated it would be "unprofessional" to decline the opportunity to participate in Canberra.

How could it hurt playing two days of the game using the pink ball under lights?

Vaughan continued:

It's hard to believe so old school to suggest that by playing cricket they could become slightly improved?

My method would be, you've got a pink-ball 48-hour match, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, play those two days and provide yourself the best chance.

The squad are scheduled to fly to Queensland on Wednesday and do not plan to train before the start of the week. Exists the chance of an additional training session at the weekend.