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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with 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 key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable 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 decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”