England have confirmed that none of the batters who suffered a humiliating two-day defeat in the first Ashes Test will play in the pink-ball warm-up match in Canberra. Only Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts—all unused in Perth—will join the Lions for the two-day floodlit fixture against a Prime Minister's XI starting Saturday.
The decision risks further criticism after England's batting collapses in both innings of the first Test. Cricket Australia had originally scheduled the match for England's first team as preparation for the day-night second Test in Brisbane, but England informed them weeks ago that the Lions would take their place, citing the slow pitch at Manuka Oval as unsuitable.
Head coach Brendon McCullum offered individuals the chance to travel to Canberra after the Perth defeat, but only three fringe players accepted. Instead, England will fly to Brisbane on Wednesday for additional training, including evening sessions under lights at the Gabba.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the move, telling BBC Test Match Special: “It’s amateurish if they don’t go and play now. What harm is playing two days of cricket with a pink ball under lights? It’s not being old-school to suggest that a pink ball is different to a red ball.”
England's record in day-night Tests is poor: played seven, lost five, including two defeats on the Ashes tour four years ago. Australia have lost only one of their 14 pink-ball Tests. The decision will be judged by whether England can level the series at the Gabba.
