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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit in day-night games. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero 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, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, 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 suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”