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

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, 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, does it need it? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply 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 have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned 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 second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred if another quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered 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. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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