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England's primary batters have opted to skip a pink-ball tour match in the capital, even after a heavy loss in the opening Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists lost within 48 hours in Perth, creating an 11-day gap before the second day-night Test in Queensland.

The break presented the option for squad members to join the development squad two-day pink-ball match against a invitational side in the capital this weekend.

Instead, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, along with batsman Jacob Bethell – all of whom played in the first Test – are set to go to join the development squad.

Sources suggest that none of the Perth players requested to participate in the capital fixture.

Former English Player Describes Decision "Strange"

Upon learning the team were considering sending players to Canberra for the England Lions game, we assumed they would send those in need of practice.

Ex- English fast bowler and lead analyst added:

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

Missed Chance for Day-Night Practice

The fixture with the invitational side has long been customary for touring sides to Australia.

England participated in the fixture in past Ashes tours, but was left out in their schedule on this occasion due to a potential short gap to Brisbane had the first match gone the full duration.

The flight from Perth to the capital requires almost four hours, and a further 120-minute journey from the capital and Queensland.

Yet, considering the opening match finished so quickly – the first two-day Test in the series since 1921 – the thought of dispatching some of the batters to the capital seemed to be logical.

Performance Struggles in First Test

• England dismissed in both innings in the first Test inside 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s has the team survived such a low number of deliveries in a defeat in a Test match.
• Each of captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper failed to reach 10 runs in either innings.
• Zak Crawley became one of just four England opening batsman to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

England played only one practice game prior to the Perth match, so the fixture in Canberra would have provided much-needed batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Test Ahead

In addition, the development game provided experience using the day-night ball, as the team set to face a unusual pink-ball Test.

The tourists have lost five of their 7 previous day-nighters, whereas Australia have won thirteen from fourteen.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, the home side boast the top pink-ball bowler in the world.

Of England's likely line-up in Brisbane, wicketkeeper one player and pace bowler Gus Atkinson are yet to experience a red-ball game with a pink ball, and Brydon Carse has played only one.

Team Management Position

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

I've been asked a lot, that was the method a long time ago. Our preparations thoroughly and train incredibly hard every day we get the opportunity.

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

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

The coach added that he was "sure" a batsman would be allowed to participate in Canberra if he wanted to.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Speaking on Saturday, ex-skipper a well-known figure said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the opportunity to play in Canberra.

How could it hurt playing 48 hours of cricket with the day-night ball under lights?

He continued:

I can't be so old school to propose that by getting match practice they could become a little bit better?

The approach I'd take would be, there's a pink-ball two-day game, you seize the opportunity, make the most of it, participate fully and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

The squad are scheduled to fly to Brisbane midweek and are not scheduled to train until Monday. There is the chance of an additional practice on Sunday.