England's Joe Root Expresses Mixed Feelings on Day-Night Test Games Ahead of Pivotal Ashes Series Clash

Rarely for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root responded before England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean 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 must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in each of the seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, during England’s the team's slump, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon these days—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and runs from their premier batter would help them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, then, at a venue where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”