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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind 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 in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a hundred in his first such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup 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 zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a match in over 40 years.

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