Joe Root Shares Conflicted Feelings on Pink-Ball Test Games Before Crucial Ashes Series Encounter

It's not often that an English cricketer is accused of complaining down under, but when Joe Root faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests during the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“My personal view is no,” Root responded prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.

“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it matches 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 Under Lights Takes a Dip

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The England star has played all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his career average above 50 falls to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 with a strike-rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively with the pink ball. In his last floodlit game, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.

Key Battle Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for a duck and eight.

Root later reasoned that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the kind that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid second-day collapse, was a miscalculation on his part. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I believe I will return to form.”

The Touring Side's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, down one match, face additional obstacles this week, and contributions by their premier batter could aid them recover from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century 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 during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, and Will Jacks practicing among the batsmen suggests he might be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.

However, Josh Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a match for decades.

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