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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. 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. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, 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, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

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