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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, yet these figures shift 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 a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

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 the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”