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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates 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, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

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