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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. 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’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. 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 lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a match in over 40 years.

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