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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

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

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, 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 know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”