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Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, yet when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and although a hundred in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to 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' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions 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 England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”