🔗 Share this article

It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied prior to England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match occurs, 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 when asked whether that record bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, 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. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”