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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. 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 must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach to slip in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, 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 if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

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