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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

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

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”