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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance 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 matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error 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 these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”