🔗 Share this article

Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's practice 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 we’re playing.

“In the end, you know from two years out it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered 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. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”