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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

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 muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose 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 match in over 40 years.

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