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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need 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 on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, 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 suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed here.”