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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls 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 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”