Do the Ashes need to have a pink-ball Test? Joe Root weighs in
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England’s highest run-scorer in Tests, Joe Root, does not see the need for a pink-ball Test. Stationed in Australia for one of the biggest cricket rivalries, Root spoke about whether the Ashes should include a day-night fixture. The veteran, personally, cannot get along with the appeal of the format. However, tasked with the challenge ahead of the 2nd Ashes Test, Root remains confident in his ability to come out as the better performer in this version of the game. England are currently 0-1 in the series, with troubles expected to mount further against a red-hot Mitchell Starc in Brisbane.
Joe Root reflects on pink-ball Test prospects and the challenge of facing Mitchell Starc in the second Ashes Test
The Ashes in Australia are yet to prove an ideal hunting ground for Joe Root. Of the 39 centuries Root has scored in red-ball cricket so far, none has come on Australian soil. The beginning of this edition has followed a similar pattern, with Root starting the campaign with an 8-ball duck in Perth. The senior English batter was expected to fare better against the Kangaroos in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. However, Mitchell Starc delivered his finest spells in an Ashes opener, dismissing Root in both innings as he completed a 10-wicket haul.
As the proceedings now move to Brisbane for the 2nd Test, Joe Root reflected on the need of Ashes hosting a pink-ball fixture. While the stalwart has featured in all seven of England’s day-night Tests, the former captain remains unconvinced about including such matches in an Ashes series. England have managed just two victories and suffered five defeats in those fixtures. Meanwhile, Root still questions their relevance, even as the opening three days of the second Brisbane Test are already sold out.
“I personally don’t think so,” he told reporters when asked if the Ashes needed the second Test to be a day-night match. “It does add to things. It’s obviously very successful and popular here and obviously Australia have got a very good record as well. I can see why we’re playing one of those games. A series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be here either.”
Australia have aced their pink-ball challenges, winning 13 of the 14 they have played so far. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc has already established his stature as a menace with the bright ball, scalping 81 wickets at an average of 17.08. With roughly half of each day expected to be played under lights in the upcoming Brisbane Test, the conditions again seem tailor-made for the Kangaroo to trouble the visitors again.
As for Joe Root, Starc has been far from forgiving to the English giant. Root and Starc have crossed paths 23 times in red and pink-ball Tests, and the Australian left-armer has dominated their battles. Root averages only 17.36 against Starc, who has dismissed him 10 times, including twice in the Ashes opener. Even so, Root insists that there are always answers to be found. The former England skipper maintains that Starc’s strengths, daunting as they may be under day-night conditions, can still be negotiated to some degree.
"Clearly the more he's played, the more experience he's getting, and the more skills he's developed. He's a fine bowler and has been for a long time - and that's never changed. They've had a couple of injuries, and he's had to step up and he did that very well in the last game. Our challenge will be, can we counter that this week?," Root said about Starc.
"It's understanding all of the different tools he might have and then how are you going to counter that both in a positive manner and in allowing yourself to do it for a long period of time. Just being clear individually in how you want to go about scoring your runs and readying yourself as best you can is going to be the key,” he added.
