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It's not often for an England player gets labeled as whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, we are aware well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … 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 in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better than Australia at it.”

Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches so far, and although a hundred in his first such match against West Indies in 2017, his career average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, yet these figures shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence last week, it was Starc who got him out for zero and eight.

Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the kind that may not reach the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s second-day collapse, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman could aid in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a hundred if another quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a century 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 bothered him in Perth.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are crucial for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and extra runs down the order could balance any bowling leaks.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where England haven’t won a match for decades.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed here.”