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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, 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 traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century 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 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. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”