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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon 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 runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”