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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, 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 Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, 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 occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”