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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”