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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. 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 said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”