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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit in day-night games. The England star has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win here.”