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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean 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 to be better our opponents at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred 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,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday 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, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”