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It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he gave a straightforward response.

“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received in this country, and the hosts have an impressive track record in these matches. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know well in advance it will happen. It’s part of being ready for the series. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? 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 traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better our opponents at it.”

Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Suffers

Like his counterpart, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong numbers see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a hundred in his debut outing versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average of 50.9 drops to just over 38 in these games.

On the other hand, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate around 50 overall, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 respectively in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he claimed six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in Perth.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series

The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally troubled him more, in their absence in the first Test, it was Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip back home. His next dismissal, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation on his part. “I am confident in my ability,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Challenges and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing could come into play. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.

This may not require a century should there be rapid shootout occurs, yet Root's absence of a century on Australian soil continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record weighed on him in Perth.

Squad Decisions and Historic Opportunity

The England squad trained intensely on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, conducted in evening conditions.

Mark Wood’s absence with a sore knee has created an opening in the team, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. The all-rounder’s off-spin are adequate, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions elsewhere and is still in the mix if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where the visitors haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It's an opportunity to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it all the sweeter if we succeed at this ground.”