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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, 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 to date, and although a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on 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 setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a Test 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 at this ground.”