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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

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 in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England have not won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”