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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, 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 stated before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion 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 Record Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”