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

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. 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 has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”