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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, but when the former captain 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 prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”