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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. 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 matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record 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 played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler 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. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”