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It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in 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 career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles 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 could 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.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a match for decades.

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