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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches 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.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

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 suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England have not won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”