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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, 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 May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”