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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

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

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win here.”