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It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”