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Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when Joe Root 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 at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia 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 that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies 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 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 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 of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s 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.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia 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 in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed here.”