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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

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 usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

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