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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle 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. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence 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 might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”