England's First-Choice Batsmen Sit Out Pink-Ball Tour Match

The English main batters chose to miss a day-night practice game in Canberra, even after a devastating loss in the first Ashes Test in Western Australia.

England lost in under 48 hours in the first Test, leaving an extended gap ahead of the second day-night Test in Queensland.

The break presented the possibility for squad members to join the England Lions 48-hour pink-ball match against a invitational side in the capital this weekend.

However, only pace bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batsman a young player – all of whom featured in the first Test – will travel to join the development squad.

Reports indicate that none of the first-Test XI asked to participate in the capital match.

Ex- England Star Describes Move "Unusual"

Upon learning the team were considering sending players to Canberra for the England Lions game, it was expected it would be players requiring practice.

The former English paceman and lead analyst continued:

The team are responsible for how they prepare and how they perform during matches. They are responsible for doing everything possible of winning the Ashes. The proof of the pudding will be with the results.

Lost Opportunity for Day-Night Experience

This match with the invitational side is a tradition for visiting teams down under.

The tourists participated in the game in past Ashes tours, but it was not in their schedule on this occasion because of a potential tight turnaround to the next Test if the first match had lasted all five days.

Travel from Perth to the capital requires almost four hours, with a further two-hour journey between Canberra and Brisbane.

Yet, given the first Test was completed so quickly – marking the first 48-hour Test in the series in over a century – the thought of sending at least the batters to the capital seemed to be logical.

Batting Struggles in First Test

• The tourists were bowled out in both innings in the first Test in under 67.3 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s has the team faced such a low number of balls in a defeat in a Test.
• Each of captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper didn't make double figures in both innings.
• Zak Crawley became one of just four English opener to register a pair in an Ashes match.

The side had just a single warm-up match prior to the Perth match, so the fixture in Canberra would have provided much-needed batting practice.

Rare Pink-Ball Challenge Ahead

Furthermore, the Lions match provided practice using the pink ball, as the team due to play a unusual day-night Test.

England been defeated in five of their seven previous pink-ball Tests, while the hosts triumphed in thirteen from 14.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in the first Test, the home side boast the top day-night specialist in the game.

Among the likely line-up in Brisbane, gloveman one player and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are yet to experience a red-ball game with a day-night ball, while a third has just a single appearance.

Team Management Stance

Questioned following the first Test whether England would change preparations and send players to Canberra, captain Ben Stokes was adamant they would not.

This question has come up a lot, that's how it was done a long time ago. Our preparations incredibly well and work intensely every day we get the opportunity.

Head coach the coach appeared to suggest flexibility when he said:

We need to determine what the pros and cons are. We're not married to any position currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

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

Concerns from Ex-Skipper

Speaking recently, ex-skipper a well-known figure said it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the opportunity to participate in the capital.

What harm is it playing 48 hours of cricket using the day-night ball in evening conditions?

He added:

I can't be so traditional to suggest that by playing cricket they might get a little bit better?

My method would be, you've got a day-night two-day game, you seize the opportunity, make the most of it, play those two days and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

England are scheduled to fly to Queensland midweek and are not scheduled to train before the start of the week. Exists the chance of an extra practice at the weekend.