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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, 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? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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