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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”