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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers improve 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 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s 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.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win here.”