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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. 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 shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

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

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his debut outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred if another quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a match for decades.

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