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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his first such match against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

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

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue 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 even more satisfying if we win here.”