England have chosen not to send any of their first-choice batters to the tour match against a Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, despite being thrashed inside two days in the first Ashes Test in Perth.
Only pacers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, along with batter Jacob Bethell — none of whom featured in the opening Test — will join the England Lions squad. It is understood that no player from the first-Test XI requested to play.
Warm-up chance missed
The heavy defeat in Perth left England with an 11-day gap before the day-night second Test in Brisbane. The Canberra match offered game time with the pink ball, something several England players lack experience with. Zak Crawley made a pair in Perth, while Ben Stokes and Joe Root also failed in both innings.
Tradition set aside
Touring sides have traditionally played in the Prime Minister’s XI fixture. But since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took charge, England have avoided tour matches. Perth finishing early opened the window, yet the management remains committed to its approach.
Criticism from former players
Former captain Michael Vaughan called the decision “amateurish”, saying even two days under lights would give England “the best chance” heading into the second Test.
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