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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

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