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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. 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 traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win here.”