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It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. 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 traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his debut outing versus the Windies back 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 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

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 in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win here.”