🔗 Share this article

It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his debut such match against West Indies back in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

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