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Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a ground where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

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