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It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. 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. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, it was 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. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”