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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” 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 record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. 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 has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”