🔗 Share this article England's Joe Root Shares Dual Views on Day-Night Test Matches Before Crucial Ashes Series Encounter Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered an honest answer. “From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root replied before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular in this country, and the hosts boast a strong track record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled. “In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I'm fine with it. In my opinion it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.” Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his debut such match against West Indies in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 in these games. On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed by taking seven for 58 in Perth. Key Battle Between Root and Starc May Determine Outcome The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence last week, the veteran Starc who got him out for zero and eight. Root has reflected that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry the slips back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.” The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes. It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil 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 Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, held under lights. Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks. That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades. “It's an opportunity to make history,” Root said on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”