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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win here.”