Amidst widespread criticism over their reckless batting performance in Perth, England have released only three players to play in the two-day pink-ball warm-up to join England Lions against Prime Minister’s XI. Players who were not part of the Perth 12-man Test squad — Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue — will be seen action at Canberra's Manuka Oval starting November 29.
"The Lions group, including the three players linking up from the Ashes squad, will travel from Perth to Canberra on Tuesday," the statement read.
Bethell, Potts featured in another tour game in Perth
Bethell and Potts had recently featured in England Lions’ clash against Cricket Australia XI in Perth’s Lilac Hill. Bethell batted in the second innings, scoring 44 runs from 85 balls. The left-arm spinner bowled 10 overs, including one maiden, conceded 38 runs but could not take a wicket. On the other hand, Potts took three wickets including Jake Fraser-McGurk. He bowled 23 overs in the game, including four maidens.
Cricket Australia XI won the four-day game by eight wickets as opener Josh Inglis scored an unbeaten 107-ball 125 in the run chase of 232, a knock similar to that of Travis Head's carnage in Perth a couple of days ago.
Meanwhile, Tongue had only featured in the warm-up game between England XI and England Lions. He claimed one wicket each in both innings.
Vaughan’s message to Stokes for pink-ball game
Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan said that it would be amateurish of the Ben Stokes-led side if they don't play in the pink-ball warm-up game.
"Whether they like it or not, all these conversations are going to come back to England," Vaughan said as quoted by BBC. "It's amateurish if England don't go out and practise between now and then.
"What harm is it playing two days of cricket with the pink ball under lights? "I can't be so old school to suggest that by playing cricket they might get a little bit better? "My method would be, you've got a pink-ball two-day game, you go and grab it, go and take it, play those two days and give yourself the best chance."
The second Test of the series will be played at The Gabba, Brisbane, starting on November 24. After batting failures in Perth, it is yet to be seen whether England make a change in their lineup.