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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, 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 matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”