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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging down under, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

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