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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his first such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures 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 shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”