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The English key batters chose to avoid a day-night practice game in the capital, despite a devastating loss in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists suffered defeat within two days in the first Test, leaving an extended break before the upcoming day-night Test in Brisbane.

This gap presented the possibility for players to join the development squad 48-hour pink-ball match versus a invitational side in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, just fast bowlers one bowler and Matthew Potts, plus batsman a young player – all of whom featured in the first Test – are set to go to join the development squad.

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

Ex- England Star Calls Move "Unusual"

Upon learning the team thought about dispatching squad members to Canberra for the development squad game, we assumed it would be players requiring practice.

The former England paceman and chief cricket commentator continued:

England are responsible for how they prepare and their performances on the field. It's their job to doing everything possible of winning the Ashes. The real test will be in the eating.

Missed Opportunity for Pink-Ball Experience

The fixture with the Prime Minister's XI has long been customary for touring sides to Australia.

England participated in the game in past series in Australia, but was left out in their schedule this time due to a possible tight turnaround to Brisbane had the first match gone all five days.

The flight from Western Australia to the capital requires just under 240 minutes, with a further two-hour journey from the capital to Brisbane.

Yet, considering the first Test was completed so quickly – marking the first 48-hour Ashes Test in over a century – the idea of dispatching some of the batsmen to the capital seemed to be logical.

Batting Issues in Perth

• The tourists dismissed in both innings in the first Test in under 68 overs.
• It's been since 1904 has the team survived such a low number of balls in a defeat in a Test.
• Each of the skipper and former captain Joe Root failed to reach 10 runs in both innings.
• The opener became one of just four English opening batsman to record a pair in an Ashes Test.

The side played only one practice game before the Perth match, so the game in the capital could have offered much-needed time in the middle.

Uncommon Pink-Ball Challenge Coming Up

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

England been defeated in five of their seven previous day-nighters, whereas the hosts triumphed in thirteen from 14.

With a key bowler, who took 10 wickets in the first Test, Australia have the best day-night specialist in the game.

Among the likely line-up in Brisbane, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and fast bowler another have never played a first-class match with a pink ball, while Brydon Carse has just a single appearance.

Leadership Position

Asked following the Perth match whether the team would alter preparations and dispatch players to the capital, the skipper was adamant they would not.

I've been asked repeatedly, that's how it was done in the past. We prepare incredibly well and train incredibly hard whenever possible we get the opportunity.

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

We need to determine what the pros and cons are. We haven't committed to a fixed plan at the moment, but we'll decide soon.

McCullum added that he was "confident" a batter could play in Canberra if he wanted to.

Criticism from Ex-Skipper

Commenting recently, former captain a well-known figure said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the chance to play in the capital.

How could it hurt taking part in two days of cricket with the day-night ball in evening conditions?

He continued:

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

The approach I'd take is, you've got a day-night two-day game, you go and grab it, make the most of it, participate fully and give yourself the best chance.

England will travel to Queensland on Wednesday and do not plan to practice until Monday. There is the chance of an extra training session at the weekend.