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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies 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 May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable 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. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”