🔗 Share this article

It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply 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 in these conditions.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

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

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a match for decades.

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