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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket 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 at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think 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 our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal 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 am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”