It's not often for an England player gets labeled as complaining down under, but when the former captain was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket during the Ashes, he gave an honest answer.
“I personally don’t think so,” Root responded prior to England's net session in Brisbane. “Clearly very successful and well-received in this country, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. It's understandable why one match is scheduled.
“Ultimately, you know well in advance that it’s scheduled. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, is it essential? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and we just need we outperform our opponents at it.”
Joe Root's Record Under Lights Takes a Dip
Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The England star has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and although a century in his debut outing versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 falls to 38.5 under lights.
Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six wickets for nine runs as West Indies were dismissed for 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.
Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series
The matchup between Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in this series. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of a duck and eight.
Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips in England. The second, when he chopped on, amid second-day collapse, was an error on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I believe I will score runs again.”
The Touring Side's Challenges and Preparations
Starc now uses the wobble seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, face additional obstacles in this Test, and runs from their top batsman could aid in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.
It might not need a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to dwell on it,” was his humble reply on being questioned whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.
Team Selection and Historic Opportunity
Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are vital for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.
Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee opens up a spot in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-breaks are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any bowling leaks.
However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra 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 venue where the visitors haven’t won a match for decades.
“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”
