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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite 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 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, 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 when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”