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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … 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 to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton 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 weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England have not won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win here.”