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Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle 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 in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century 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.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

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