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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips in England. His next dismissal, 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 believe I will score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”