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Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred should there be rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”