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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. 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

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

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 last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, when he chopped 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 now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

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