🔗 Share this article

Rarely for an England player is accused of complaining in Australia, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be one of the key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip in England. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to score runs again.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century should there be quick-fire match occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer 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. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed here.”