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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“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, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, 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, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”