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It's not often 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 offered a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach 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 stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”