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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of 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, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks 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 if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”