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

England lost within two days in the first Test, leaving an extended break before the upcoming day-night Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the possibility for players to participate in the England Lions 48-hour day-night fixture versus a invitational side in the capital this weekend.

Instead, only fast bowlers one bowler and another bowler, along with batter Jacob Bethell – all of whom played in the Perth match – will travel and link up with the Lions.

Sources suggest that none of the first-Test XI asked to play in the capital fixture.

Ex- English Player Calls Decision "Bizarre"

Upon learning England were considering dispatching squad members to the capital for the development squad game, we assumed they would send those in need of practice.

Ex- England paceman and lead analyst continued:

England must take charge of their preparation and their performances on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot of winning the series. The proof of the pudding comes with the results.

Missed Chance for Day-Night Experience

This match with the invitational side is a tradition for touring sides down under.

England have played in the game in previous series in Australia, but was left out from their plans on this occasion because of a potential short gap to Brisbane if the first match had lasted all five days.

Travel from Perth to Canberra requires just under four hours, with a further 120-minute flight from the capital to Queensland.

Yet, given the opening match finished in just two days – the first 48-hour Test in the series in over a century – the idea of sending some of the batsmen to Canberra appeared to be logical.

Batting Issues in First Test

• England were bowled out twice in Perth inside 68 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s has the team survived such a low number of deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Both the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach 10 runs in either innings.
• Zak Crawley was one of just four English opening batsman to register a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

The side had just a single warm-up match before the Perth match, so the game in Canberra could have offered much-needed time in the middle.

Rare Day-Night Test Coming Up

Furthermore, the Lions match provided experience using the pink ball, as the team set to face a rare day-night Test.

England been defeated in five of their 7 previous day-nighters, whereas Australia have won 13 from fourteen.

In pace bowler a key bowler, who claimed 10 wickets in Perth, Australia boast the top pink-ball bowler in the game.

Of England's probable XI in the next Test, gloveman one player and pace bowler Gus Atkinson are yet to experience a red-ball game with a pink ball, while Brydon Carse has just a single appearance.

Team Management Stance

Questioned after the Perth match whether England would alter preparations and dispatch players to the capital, the skipper remained firm they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that's how it was done in the past. We prepare incredibly well and train intensely whenever possible we get the opportunity.

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

We've just got to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to any position at the moment, but we'll work it out soon.

The coach added that he was "sure" a batsman could play in Canberra should they wish.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Speaking recently, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan said it would be "amateurish" to decline the opportunity to play in the capital.

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

Vaughan continued:

It's hard to believe so traditional to propose that by playing cricket they might get a little bit better?

The approach I'd take is, there's a pink-ball two-day game, you seize the opportunity, make the most of it, play those two days and provide yourself the best chance.

England are scheduled to fly to Queensland on Wednesday and are not scheduled to practice until Monday. Exists the chance of an extra training session at the weekend.