🔗 Share this article

It's not often for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”