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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think 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 at it.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

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

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a match in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”