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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed here.”