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It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine 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 of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, 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-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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