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Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was 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 to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

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

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

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