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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

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

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops 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 overall, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, 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 humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout 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 when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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