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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive 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 part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout 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 when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match in over 40 years.

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