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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. 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'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with 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, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”