England skip first-choice batsmen for Canberra pink-ball warm-up as Ashes Brisbane Test looms

England have opted to rest their frontline batsmen for a two-day pink-ball match in Canberra. After a heavy defeat in Perth, the focus is on sustaining the squad and building plans for the Brisbane day-night Test.

Selection in Canberra

Only pace bowler Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts, and batsman Jacob Bethell — none of whom played in the Perth Test — will join the England Lions for the Canberra fixture.

There was no request from any member of England's first-Test XI to feature in Canberra, according to team sources.

Why Canberra wasn’t prioritized

The Prime Minister's XI game is a traditional chance for touring sides to flush out pink-ball readiness, but England did not include it due to potential travel constraints and the tight lead-in to Brisbane. Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have prioritized long-term preparation over short-term exposure to the pink ball since their 2022 leadership change.

Perth's surprise early finish saw England bowled out twice inside 67.3 overs, with Stokes and Joe Root failing to reach double figures in either innings and Zak Crawley recording a pair. This worsened concerns about batting form ahead of the rest of the series.

England's Lions match would have provided valuable middle-order practice with the pink ball, but the plan has remained to keep the main squad intact while targeting Brisbane's conditions.

Brisbane preparations

The team will fly to Brisbane midweek and are not scheduled to train until Monday, with a possible optional session on Sunday. Several England players have limited or no experience with the pink ball in first-class cricket, including wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, pace bowler Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse who has one pink-ball appearance.

Reaction and debate

Former captain Michael Vaughan argued that missing the Canberra game was a miss, saying two days of pink-ball cricket under lights could sharpen the batting unit. England captain Ben Stokes defended the approach, stressing the value of steady, long-term preparation and the benefits of their method in the longer term.

Key takeaways

• England prioritizes Brisbane readiness and squad balance over a Canberra warm-up match.
• Canberra would have offered pink-ball exposure, but the plan keeps the Lions call-ups limited.
• Some players have little pink-ball experience, highlighting the need for targeted preparation in Brisbane.

Expert comment

Expert view: Former England captain Michael Vaughan described the Canberra option as a missed opportunity for mid-innings practice, urging the team to grab any two-day pink-ball game. His view mirrors the broader debate about balancing immediate exposure with long-term Ashes readiness.

Summary

England opted to protect their Brisbane schedule and concentrate on long-term preparation rather than a Canberra pink-ball tune-up. The decision has sparked debate among former players and pundits about the best path to success in the Ashes series, especially given the team’s recent batting struggles. The coming days will reveal whether this approach pays off in the pink-ball Brisbane Test.

England's strategy prioritizes Brisbane readiness and squad balance over a Canberra practice match. BBC Sport

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