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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong 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 such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his first such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

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