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It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”