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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, 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 the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”