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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. 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. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Record in Day-Night Tests 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 featured in each of the seven England's floodlit Tests so far, and despite a hundred in his first outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions 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, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs down the order might offset any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”