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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

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