🔗 Share this article

It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied before England's practice in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready 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 don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman would help them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

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