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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. 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 than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, 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 in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday 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 in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”