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It's not often for an England player 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 answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win here.”