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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement 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. In my opinion it’s as good as 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 Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, 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 pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root has reflected 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 on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib 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 on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”