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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. 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—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “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

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win here.”