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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind 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 Record Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, 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. His off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”