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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful 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.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part 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 matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, it was 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 the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”