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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

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. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”