England has opted not to send their first-choice batters to Canberra for a pink-ball tour game, in a move that has sparked debate among cricket experts. The Ashes series is set to resume with a day-night Test at Brisbane's Gabba, but England's decision means those who were in the first Test will be rested.
The game against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra was an opportunity for players to get some match practice under their belts before the second Test. However, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, and batter Jacob Bethell - none of whom featured in the first Test - have left the Ashes squad to join the England Lions.
Former England fast bowler Jonathan Agnew described the decision as "bizarre", saying that England are responsible for preparing their players for the Ashes. He warned that if their plans do not work, they will be held to account at the end of the series.
Another former England fast bowler, Steve Finn, echoed Agnew's sentiments, suggesting that players could benefit from playing in Canberra to hone their skills under the pink ball. "It certainly wouldn't hurt to go and spend time in the middle," he said.
Former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan also expressed his surprise at the decision, calling it "amateurish". He believed that players would benefit from playing two days of cricket with the pink ball.
However, England captain Ben Stokes has stuck by his team's plan, saying that they have prepared well and do not need to send their first-choice batters to Canberra. Coach Brendon McCullum also suggested that the game against the Prime Minister's XI was not essential for the team's preparation.
The decision is a surprise, given the circumstances of the first Test in Perth, where England were bowled out twice inside 67.3 overs. Stokes and former captain Joe Root failed to reach double figures in both innings, while Zak Crawley became only the fourth England opener to record a pair in an Ashes Test.
The team will now travel to Brisbane on Wednesday for their day-night Test at the Gabba, with an extra training session possible on Sunday.
The game against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra was an opportunity for players to get some match practice under their belts before the second Test. However, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, and batter Jacob Bethell - none of whom featured in the first Test - have left the Ashes squad to join the England Lions.
Former England fast bowler Jonathan Agnew described the decision as "bizarre", saying that England are responsible for preparing their players for the Ashes. He warned that if their plans do not work, they will be held to account at the end of the series.
Another former England fast bowler, Steve Finn, echoed Agnew's sentiments, suggesting that players could benefit from playing in Canberra to hone their skills under the pink ball. "It certainly wouldn't hurt to go and spend time in the middle," he said.
Former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan also expressed his surprise at the decision, calling it "amateurish". He believed that players would benefit from playing two days of cricket with the pink ball.
However, England captain Ben Stokes has stuck by his team's plan, saying that they have prepared well and do not need to send their first-choice batters to Canberra. Coach Brendon McCullum also suggested that the game against the Prime Minister's XI was not essential for the team's preparation.
The decision is a surprise, given the circumstances of the first Test in Perth, where England were bowled out twice inside 67.3 overs. Stokes and former captain Joe Root failed to reach double figures in both innings, while Zak Crawley became only the fourth England opener to record a pair in an Ashes Test.
The team will now travel to Brisbane on Wednesday for their day-night Test at the Gabba, with an extra training session possible on Sunday.
I mean, they're saying it's because they've already rested them in the first test, but isn't playing some more cricket against a decent side supposed to help them prepare for The Ashes? And what's with not sending their top batters? Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose of practicing for such an important series? 
I get that Coach McCullum said it wasn't essential, but didn't they learn anything from Perth?! 
. They need to take care of their players and make sure they're fresh for the real Ashes tests. And who knows, maybe this decision will actually help them prepare better 
. Plus, it gives them an extra day to train and get ready for Brisbane, which might just be the turning point they need 
. I'm sure they'll come out on top in the end 
So I'm thinking England's decision not to send their top batters to Canberra is kinda weird... 
It's like they're playing a defensive strategy here. 
You can't just skip practice sessions without getting better at something as tricky as the pink ball. It's not like they're just gonna magically become experts overnight... 
. I mean, what's the point of playing if you're not gonna put your best players out there? 
The pink ball is still a novelty and they should be learning how to adapt to it in all sorts of conditions 
.