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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing 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 matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred 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, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”