🔗 Share this article

It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests so far, and although a century in his debut outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”