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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 of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”