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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? 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 have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the 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 a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”