🔗 Share this article

Rarely for an England player is accused of whinging down under, yet when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward response.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia boast a strong record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, we are aware from two years out it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents in these conditions.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Takes a Dip

Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to 38.5 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six wickets for nine runs as the opposition were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Team Selection and Historic Opportunity

The England squad practiced hard over the weekend, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial 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 the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are adequate, and extra runs at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and is still in the mix if England opt for an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”