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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard 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 due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”