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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean 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 to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong 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 such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, 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 type that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital 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 practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win here.”