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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. 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 matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

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 in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type 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 am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

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

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

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