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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”