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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging down under, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his first such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday 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, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

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