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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, 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 in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests 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 a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could 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 their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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