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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

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