Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining in Australia, but when Joe Root faced questions regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered an honest answer.
“My personal view is no,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and the hosts have an impressive record in these matches. You can understand why we’re playing.
“In the end, we are aware well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for the series. For a series like this, is it essential? 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 our opponents at it.”
Joe Root's Performance in Day-Night Tests Declines
Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root’s typically strong stats take a hit in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball matches so far, and despite a century in his debut such match versus the Windies in 2017, his career average of 50.9 falls to just over 38 under lights.
Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate around 50 in general, yet these figures improve to 17 and 33 respectively with the pink ball. During his most recent pink-ball appearance, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were bowled out for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered by taking seven for 58 in the next Test.
Deciding Duel Root vs Starc Could Shape Series
The head-to-head of Root and Starc is emerging as one of the deciding factors in this series. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood usually caused him issues, with them missing last week, the veteran Starc who dismissed him 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. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, during England’s the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I am confident in my ability,” he stated. “I believe I will return to form.”
The Touring Side's Challenges and Readiness
Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he should have listened to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in humid Brisbane, swing could be available. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome this week, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.
It might not need a hundred should there be quick-fire match unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.
Squad Decisions and Chance for History
Root and his teammates trained intensely over the weekend, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop on a hot afternoon. The key sessions are crucial for England’s preparations, held under lights.
Wood being unavailable with a sore knee opens up a spot in the lineup, and Will Jacks netting with the main batters hints he could be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight might offset any conceded runs.
However, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option if England opt for pace-heavy bowling, and spinner Bashir was included previously. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.
“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would be even more satisfying if we succeed at this ground.”
