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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. 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’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”