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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday 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, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”