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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, 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 in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies 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 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation 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 Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome 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 quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”