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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

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

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. 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. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

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