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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know 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? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

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 have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, 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 has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

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