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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. 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 shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

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