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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion 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 in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops 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 with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century 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 bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, 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 opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

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