🔗 Share this article

It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”