🔗 Share this article

Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of whinging down under, but when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's practice in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. 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. In my opinion it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, but Root’s lack of a ton in Australia remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we win here.”