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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”