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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. 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 the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

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

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”