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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra 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, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

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