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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. 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 must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

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