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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

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

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital 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 hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed here.”