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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”