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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. 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 has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, 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. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

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