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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—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 premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

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