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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

“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.”