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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. 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 we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his debut outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, 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 be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”