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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied 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. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

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

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat bothered 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. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”