🔗 Share this article

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 during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and well-received in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why we’re playing.

“Ultimately, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure we outperform than Australia at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches to date, and despite a century in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the type that might not carry to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will score runs again.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and remains an option should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad last week. Much to think about, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”