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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … 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 we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”