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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and although a century in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 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 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed here.”