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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter 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 dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital 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 in contention. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

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