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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging down under, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply 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 on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”