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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular 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.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran 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 may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”