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

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, 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? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match 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 if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”