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It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing 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 matches traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

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. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their top batsman would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, then, at a venue where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.

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