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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses 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 this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions 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-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

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