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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

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

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. 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 team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”