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Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his first such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

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

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”