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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, 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 believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

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

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win here.”