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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 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 a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, 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 return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh 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 in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”