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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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