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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

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