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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia boast a strong track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers take a hit with the pink ball. The Yorkshire batsman has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to 38.5 under lights.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—his best performance that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing last week, it was Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal came from a fine delivery—the kind that might not carry the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their premier batter could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

It might not need a century if another rapid shootout occurs, but Root’s lack of a ton on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked if the stat weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are crucial for their readiness, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any bowling leaks.

That said, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England have not won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”