🔗 Share this article

Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, yet when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready 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 matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, then, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

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