🔗 Share this article

England's primary batters chose to miss a pink-ball practice game in Canberra, despite a comprehensive defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Western Australia.

England suffered defeat in under 48 hours in Perth, leaving an 11-day break before the upcoming pink-ball Test in Brisbane.

This gap presented the possibility for players to participate in the development squad 48-hour day-night match against a Prime Minister's XI in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

Instead, just pace bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batter Jacob Bethell – all of whom featured in the first Test – are set to go to join the development squad.

Sources suggest that not one of the Perth players requested to play in the capital fixture.

Former English Player Calls Decision "Bizarre"

Upon learning England were considering dispatching squad members to Canberra for the development squad game, it was expected they would send those requiring practice.

The former English fast bowler and lead analyst continued:

The team must take charge of how they prepare and how they perform on the field. It's their job to giving it their best shot to win the Ashes. The real test will be with the results.

Lost Opportunity for Pink-Ball Practice

This match with the invitational side is a tradition for visiting teams to Australia.

The tourists have played in the game in past series in Australia, but it was not from their plans this time because of a potential short gap to the next Test if the first match gone the full duration.

Travel from Western Australia to the capital takes almost 240 minutes, with a additional two-hour flight from the capital and Brisbane.

Yet, considering the opening match was completed in just two days – the first two-day Ashes Test since 1921 – the thought of dispatching at least the batters to Canberra seemed to be logical.

Performance Issues in First Test

• England were bowled out twice in the first Test in under 67.3 overs.
• Not since 1904 has the team survived such a low number of deliveries in losing a Test.
• Both captain Ben Stokes and ex-skipper didn't make 10 runs in either innings.
• The opener became one of just four English opening batsman to register a pair in an Ashes match.

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

Uncommon Day-Night Challenge Ahead

Furthermore, the development game would have offered experience with the day-night ball, with England set to face a unusual pink-ball Test.

England been defeated in five of their 7 prior pink-ball Tests, while Australia triumphed in thirteen from fourteen.

With Mitchell Starc, who took a ten-wicket haul in Perth, Australia have the best pink-ball bowler in the world.

Of England's likely line-up in Brisbane, gloveman Jamie Smith and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have never played a first-class match with a pink ball, and Brydon Carse has played only one.

Leadership Stance

Asked after the Perth match whether England would change preparations and send squad members to the capital, captain Ben Stokes remained firm they would not.

I've been asked a lot, that was the method in the past. We prepare thoroughly and work incredibly hard every day we get the opportunity.

Coach the coach seemed to suggest flexibility when he said:

We've just got to determine the advantages and disadvantages. We haven't committed to a fixed plan at the moment, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach added that he was "sure" a batter could play in Canberra if he wanted to.

Criticism from Former Captain

Commenting recently, ex-skipper Michael Vaughan said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the opportunity to play in Canberra.

What harm is it taking part in two days of the game using the day-night ball in evening conditions?

Vaughan added:

It's hard to believe so old school to suggest that by getting match practice they might get slightly improved?

My method is, you've got a day-night 48-hour match, you seize the opportunity, go and take it, participate fully and provide yourself the optimal preparation.

England will travel to Brisbane midweek and are not scheduled to train until Monday. Exists the chance of an additional training session at the weekend.