🔗 Share this article

It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and the hosts boast a strong track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready 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 don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

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

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s floodlit Tests to date, and despite a century in his first such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 in these games.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers improve to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that may not reach the slips in England. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

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

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we win here.”