🔗 Share this article

It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his debut outing 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 averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could 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 in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”