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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win here.”