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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. 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 don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform than Australia in these conditions.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Declines

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has played 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 of 50.9 falls to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually troubled him more, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip back home. The second, bowled chopping on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

England's Challenges and Readiness

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout 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 whether that record bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

The England squad trained intensely over the weekend, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be in contention. His off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root commented regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”