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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance 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 featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup 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, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”