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Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part 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 have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal 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 a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. 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 team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win here.”