🔗 Share this article

Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a century in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine 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.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, 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 a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

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 come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”