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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions 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 before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”