🔗 Share this article

Rarely for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part 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 shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted 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 this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

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

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”