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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging down under, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … 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 in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”