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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think 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 in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, 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 is a chance to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win here.”