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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement 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'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry the slips in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match in over 40 years.

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