🔗 Share this article

Rarely that an English cricketer is accused of complaining in Australia, yet when the former captain was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly highly popular and popular here in Australia, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and must ensure to be better than Australia in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance Under Lights Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in each of the seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his first outing against West Indies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, 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 floodlit game, against West Indies, he took six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket came from a fine delivery—the kind that may not reach the slips back home. The second, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was an error by him. “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 now uses the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing may also be available. England, down one match, face additional obstacles in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman could aid them recover from their own mistakes.

This may not require a century if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Wood being unavailable with a sore knee has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring down the order could balance any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, then, at a venue where England have not won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”