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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement 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 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 we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, 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 suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win here.”