Root Shares Mixed Feelings on Pink-Ball Test Games Before Pivotal Ashes Series Clash
It's not often for an England player is accused of whinging in Australia, yet when the former captain faced questions about the necessity of day-night Tests in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.
“From my perspective, it's not necessary,” Root stated before England's net session in Brisbane. “It’s obviously very successful and popular in this country, and Australia have an impressive track record with the pink ball. It's understandable why we’re playing.
“Ultimately, you know well in advance it will happen. It's a requirement of preparing for such contests. For a series like this, is it essential? I don’t think so … but that doesn’t mean it has no place. I don’t mind it. I don’t think it matches the conventional format. But it’s in the schedule. We have to participate, and must ensure to be better than Australia at it.”
Root's Record in Day-Night Tests Suffers
Like his counterpart, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats take a hit with the pink ball. The England star has featured in all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and although a century in his first outing versus the Windies back 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 around 50 in general, but those numbers shift to 17 and 33 respectively in day-night Tests. During his most recent floodlit game, in Jamaica, he took six for nine as West Indies were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that he bettered with seven wickets for 58 in the next Test.
Deciding Duel Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series
The head-to-head between Root and Starc is emerging as a potential deciding factors in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of a duck and eight.
Root later reasoned the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach to slip in England. The second, when he chopped on, during England’s 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.”
England's Hurdles and Readiness
Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his main tactic nowadays—he noted he should have listened his teammates' advice sooner—and in humid Brisbane, swing could come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their premier batter would help in recovering from a self-inflicted hole.
It might not need a century if another rapid shootout unfolds, yet Root's absence of a ton in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn't get time to think about it,” he modestly answered on being questioned whether that record bothered him in Perth.
Team Selection and Chance for History
Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop setting the tone in the heat. Monday and Wednesday are vital for their readiness, held under lights.
Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be the frontrunner. His off-breaks are decent, and extra runs down the order might offset any bowling leaks.
That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Plenty to consider, indeed, at a venue where the visitors have not won a Test in over 40 years.
“It is a chance to make history,” Root said regarding this. “It would make it even more satisfying if we win at this ground.”