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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track 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 the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday 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 in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win here.”