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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as 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 Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out 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 emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”