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England's primary batsmen have opted to skip a day-night tour match in Canberra, even after a heavy loss in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists lost in under two days in Perth, creating an 11-day break before the upcoming pink-ball Test in Queensland.

The break opened up the chance for players to join the development squad 48-hour pink-ball match versus a Prime Minister's XI in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

However, only fast bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, plus batsman Jacob Bethell – none of whom played in the Perth match – are set to go and link up with the development squad.

Sources suggest that none of the Perth players asked to participate in the Canberra fixture.

Former English Star Describes Move "Unusual"

When we heard England thought about sending squad members to Canberra for the development squad game, it was expected they would send players in need of practice.

Ex- English fast bowler and lead analyst continued:

The team are responsible for their preparation and their performances on the field. It's their job to doing everything possible to win the Ashes. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

Lost Chance for Day-Night Practice

The fixture with the Prime Minister's XI is a tradition for visiting teams down under.

England have played in the fixture in previous Ashes tours, but it was not in their schedule this time because of a potential short gap to the next Test if the first match gone all five days.

The flight from Western Australia to Canberra takes almost 240 minutes, and a additional 120-minute journey from Canberra and Brisbane.

However, considering the first Test finished so quickly – the first two-day Ashes Test since 1921 – the idea of dispatching at least the batters to Canberra appeared to make sense.

Batting Struggles in Perth

• England were bowled out twice in the first Test inside 68 overs.
• It's been since the early 1900s have England survived so few balls in losing a Test match.
• Both the skipper and former captain Joe Root failed to reach double figures in either innings.
• The opener became one of just four English opening batsman to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

England played only one practice game prior to the Perth match, so the game in the capital could have offered valuable batting practice.

Rare Pink-Ball Test Ahead

In addition, the development game provided practice using the day-night ball, as the team due to play a rare pink-ball Test.

The tourists been defeated in five of their seven previous pink-ball Tests, while Australia triumphed in 13 from fourteen.

With a key bowler, who took a ten-wicket haul in the first Test, the home side boast the best pink-ball bowler in the game.

Of England's likely line-up in Brisbane, wicketkeeper one player and fast bowler another have never played a first-class match using a day-night ball, while a third has just a single appearance.

Team Management Position

Questioned after the Perth match if England would alter preparations and dispatch players to the capital, captain Ben Stokes was adamant they would not.

I've been asked a lot, that's how it was done a long time ago. Our preparations incredibly well and work intensely every day to improve our game.

Coach Brendon McCullum seemed to leave the door open when he stated:

We need to determine what the pros and cons are. We haven't committed to any position currently, but we'll work it out soon.

The coach added that he was "sure" a batter would be allowed to participate in Canberra if he wanted to.

Criticism from Former Captain

Speaking on Saturday, ex-skipper a well-known figure said it would be "amateurish" to decline the chance to participate in Canberra.

What harm is it taking part in two days of the game with the pink ball under lights?

Vaughan added:

I can't be so traditional to propose that by playing cricket they could become slightly improved?

The approach I'd take would be, there's a pink-ball 48-hour match, you go and grab it, go and take it, participate fully and provide yourself the best chance.

England are scheduled to fly to Queensland midweek and do not plan to practice until Monday. There is the chance of an extra practice on Sunday.