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Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—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 premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

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