Ashes: England Canberra’s decision backed by former captain Alec Stewart

England feel they can prepare better in a controlled environment in the nets in Queensland, rather than a match where the batsman may not get much time in the middle.

The tourists were due to start the nets again on Monday, but may opt to hold a session on Sunday. Two of their training sessions will be under floodlights before the start of the second test.

Stewart, 62, played for England during a turbulent period in the 1990s, when heavy defeats abroad were often followed by extra training sessions dubbed the ‘naughty boy’s net’.

“It’s easy to say send them all there, but that becomes naughty boy syndrome,” said Stewart, who is now Surrey’s director of high-performance cricket.

“Naughty boy nets are not the way it should work.”

Another reason why England did not separate their group was the desire to keep the bulk of the team together for the purposes of camaraderie and morale.

England have not won a Test in Brisbane since 1986 and have a poor record in pink-ball matches, winning just two out of seven.

Australia have won 13 of their 14 Tests day and night, and in Mitchell Starc, who took 10 wickets in Perth, they have the best pink-ball bowler in the world in their attack.

“It is important that England does not panic,” Stewart said. “The outside noise is very loud.

“I always judge people in adversity. How are they going to bounce back? If they’re a close-knit group, looking out for each other and know how to prepare for Brisbane, then let them do it.”

England have not won any of their past 16 Tests in Australia, dating back to 2011. Before this Ashes began, coach Brendon McCullum said the series could “define” his team.

Speaking in the wake of the Perth defeat, both McCullum and captain Ben Stokes explained why the Canberra game was not on the schedule, but they have not spoken since.

“McCollum and Stokes are very good captains. Let them do it,” Stewart said.

“Whether you succeed or fail, as long as you try your best, you can be judged. If they lose in Brisbane but think they did things the right way, they can’t do more.

“Emotions run high and I understand that. When you’re a decision-maker in the inner circle, can you step back and not let outside noise influence decisions? Then McCollum, Stokes and the players can be judged accordingly.”