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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”