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England's primary batsmen have opted to skip a pink-ball practice game in Canberra, even after a comprehensive loss in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists lost within two days in Perth, leaving an 11-day break before the second pink-ball Test in Queensland.

This gap opened up the chance for players to join the England Lions 48-hour day-night fixture against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday.

However, only fast bowlers Josh Tongue and another bowler, plus batter Jacob Bethell – none of whom played in the first Test – are set to go to join the development squad.

Reports indicate that not one of the first-Test XI asked to play in the Canberra match.

Former England Star Calls Move "Bizarre"

Upon learning England thought about sending squad members to Canberra for the England Lions match, it was expected they would send players requiring match time.

The former England fast bowler and chief cricket commentator added:

The team must take charge of their preparation and how they perform during matches. They are responsible for giving it their best shot of winning the Ashes. The real test comes in the eating.

Lost Chance for Pink-Ball Practice

This match with the Prime Minister's XI is a tradition for visiting teams to Australia.

England participated in the fixture in past series in Australia, but it was not in their schedule this time due to a potential short gap to the next Test if the first match had lasted all five days.

Travel from Western Australia to the capital requires almost four hours, and a additional two-hour journey between the capital to Queensland.

However, given the first Test finished so quickly – the first 48-hour Test in the series since 1921 – the thought of sending at least the batters to Canberra appeared to make sense.

Performance Struggles in Perth

• England were bowled out twice in Perth in under 67.3 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England survived such a low number of deliveries in losing a Test match.
• Each of the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach 10 runs in both innings.
• The opener became one of just four English opening batsman to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes Test.

England had just a single warm-up match before the first Test, so the fixture in the capital would have provided much-needed batting practice.

Rare Day-Night Test Ahead

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

The tourists have lost 5 of their seven prior pink-ball Tests, while Australia triumphed in thirteen from 14.

With a key bowler, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in Perth, the home side have the best pink-ball bowler in the world.

Of England's probable line-up in Brisbane, gloveman one player and pace bowler another are yet to experience a first-class match using a day-night ball, and a third has played only one.

Team Management Stance

Asked following the Perth match whether England would change preparations and dispatch players to Canberra, the skipper 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 whenever possible we get the opportunity.

Head coach Brendon McCullum appeared 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 any position at the moment, but we'll work it out soon.

McCullum continued that he was "confident" a batter could play in the capital should they wish.

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, ex-skipper a well-known figure stated it would be "amateurish" to decline the opportunity to play in Canberra.

What harm is it playing 48 hours of the game with the pink 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?

My method is, you've got a day-night two-day game, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, play those two days and provide yourself the best chance.

England are scheduled to fly to Brisbane on Wednesday and do not plan to train before the start of the week. There is the chance of an additional training session at the weekend.