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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as 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 answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers improve 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 West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle 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 caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “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.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a match for decades.

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