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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply 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 must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. 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 stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a match for decades.

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