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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his debut outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid 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 score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton 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 weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, 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 here.”