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England's key batters chose to skip a day-night tour match in the capital, even after a devastating loss in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

England were beaten within two days in Perth, leaving an extended break before the upcoming pink-ball Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the possibility for players to join the England Lions two-day pink-ball fixture versus a invitational side in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

However, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, plus batsman a young player – all of whom featured in the Perth match – are set to go and link up with the Lions.

It is understood that none of the Perth players requested to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Former England Star Describes Decision "Bizarre"

When we heard the team were considering dispatching players to the capital for the England Lions game, we assumed they would send players in need of practice.

The former England paceman and lead analyst added:

The team are responsible for how they prepare and their performances on the field. They are responsible for giving it their best shot of winning the Ashes. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

Missed Chance for Day-Night Experience

The fixture against the Prime Minister's XI has long been customary for visiting teams to Australia.

The tourists participated in the fixture in previous series in Australia, but was left out from their plans on this occasion due to a possible short gap to the next Test if the Perth Test gone the full duration.

Travel from Western Australia to Canberra requires almost 240 minutes, with a additional 120-minute journey from Canberra to Queensland.

However, considering the first Test finished so quickly – the first two-day Ashes Test in over a century – the thought of sending at least the batsmen to Canberra seemed to be logical.

Performance Struggles in Perth

• The tourists were bowled out in both innings in Perth in under 67.3 overs.
• It's been since 1904 has the team survived such a low number of balls 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 only the fourth English opening batsman to register a pair in an Ashes Test.

England played only one warm-up match prior to the first Test, so the fixture in the capital would have provided much-needed time in the middle.

Rare Pink-Ball Test Ahead

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

England been defeated in five of their 7 prior pink-ball Tests, whereas the hosts triumphed in 13 from 14.

With Mitchell Starc, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, Australia have the top pink-ball bowler in the world.

Of England's probable XI in the next Test, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and fast bowler another have never played a red-ball game using a day-night ball, while a third has played only one.

Team Management Position

Asked following the first Test whether England would alter preparations and send players to Canberra, captain Ben Stokes remained firm they would not.

This question has come up repeatedly, that was the method in the past. Our preparations thoroughly and work intensely every day we get the opportunity.

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

We need 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 batter would be allowed to participate in Canberra if he wanted to.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Speaking on Saturday, ex-skipper a well-known figure stated it would be "unprofessional" to decline the opportunity to participate in the capital.

What harm is it playing two days of the game with the pink ball under lights?

He added:

It's hard to believe so traditional to propose that by playing cricket they might get slightly improved?

My method is, there's a pink-ball 48-hour match, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, participate fully and give yourself the best chance.

England will travel to Queensland midweek and are not scheduled to train before the start of the week. Exists the chance of an additional training session at the weekend.