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Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

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 might offset any bowling leaks.

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

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”