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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think 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 in these conditions.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 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—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on 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. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

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 in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”