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It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

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

“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, 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 the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance 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 deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned 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, amid the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday 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. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”