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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … 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 must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

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

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins 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 could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra 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 venue where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

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