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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. 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 we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall 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 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”