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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered 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 in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”