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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging down under, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, 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 due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground 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 be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”