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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … 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’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned 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. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”