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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging 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 response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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