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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches 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.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included 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 regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win here.”