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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing 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 our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. 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 Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad 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 suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

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