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Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining down under, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

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 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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