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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “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

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, 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 suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions 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 is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”