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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century 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 bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”