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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, 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 may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed here.”