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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about 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 practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed here.”