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It's not often 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 an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think 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 our opponents in these conditions.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has played all seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, 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 type that may not reach to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—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 a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday 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. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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