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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part 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 has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid 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.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses 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 be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be 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,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”