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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and 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 the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”