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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”