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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know 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? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between 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 dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”