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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

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

“In the end, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? 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 to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and despite a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”