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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero 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, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad 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, 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 in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a match for decades.

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