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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed 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 Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset 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. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”