🔗 Share this article

Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his debut outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test for decades.

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