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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, 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 pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to 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, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed here.”