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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging in Australia, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

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

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures 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 one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

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

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win here.”