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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out 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 … 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 in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance 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 deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, 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 kind that may not reach to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—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 in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

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