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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his first such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error by him. “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 these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, 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.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground 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 succeed at this ground.”