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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. 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. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “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 Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”