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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like 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 very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. 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. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although 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.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require 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 get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”