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It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received 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 from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

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