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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, yet when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated before England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware 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? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”