Manager Joe Root said he was confident of rediscovering his scoring touch after being drubbed by Australia in the Ashes opener and questioned the need for a pink-ball Test.
England take on Australia in Brisbane as the second Ashes Test begins on Thursday. The tourists will be looking to react strongly to an eight-wicket defeat in two days in Perth, where Root had just 18 balls in his two innings.
Root, the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket after Sachin Tendulkar, has played in each of England’s last seven day-night Tests, winning only two and losing five.
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Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discuss what the key differences are with the pink ball during the second day-night Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane.
Australia have won 13 of their 14 day-night Tests, with their only loss coming against West Indies at the Gabba last year, and Root questioned the need for a pink-ball Ashes Test.
“It’s been very successful here and very popular,” Root told reporters on Sunday.
“Australia have a good record here, so you can see why we would play a game like that. Ultimately, in two years’ time, it will be that way. It’s essential to make sure we’re ready for that.”
“Do we need a series like this? I don’t think so. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be here either.”
Former England captain Root drew criticism for his form after pitching 29 innings without conceding a hundred in the Test match against Australia Down Under, but the 34-year-old had no doubts about his ability to score again.
“In this situation, against this attack, we are very clear on how we want to build our innings against the pink ball,” Root added.
“That’s what this week is about…preparing as best as we can and just having a good conversation about how we can work together and build a great partnership to prepare the game for us.”
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Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discuss whether Joe Root’s legacy as an all-time great will be affected if he fails to achieve an Ashes century for Australia
Root scored a duck and eight against his tormentor Mitchell Starc in a frantic first Test that was all over within two days.
“It’s pretty disappointing numbers-wise,” Root said.
“I thought it was a good ball in the first inning. That’s one of the things you get early on. When you have a difficult early start, you have to try to find a way to get through that phase.”
“Then the second time, I thought the tempo was really good, but I made one mistake. I made a mistake there and went through the keeper and ended up with a four-point lead. I can’t think about that anymore.”
“I think it’s a little bit more realistic and understandable. Yes, there are things that I would have done differently if I had the opportunity again, but also that it’s not the end of the world.”
England’s first team enjoyed a net session at the Gabba on Sunday, acclimating to the damp weather.
Mr Root said he was happy with the decision not to travel to Canberra to play a pink-ball tour match against the Prime Minister’s eleven.
“This is the best way to personally prepare,” he said. “My time in midfield is important, but as an experienced player I feel like I know what I need to do to get the most out of myself.”
Wood expected to miss second Ashes Test
Mark Wood looks likely to miss second Ashes Test
Mark Wood is likely to miss the second Ashes Test after missing England’s first training session in Brisbane.
The 35-year-old missed the entire domestic season after undergoing surgery on the same knee in March, and also picked up pain in his hamstring during the pre-series lead-up to the England Lions.
He was eventually returned to good health after being sent for tests, but wore the heavy strap in Perth and finished with just 11 overs as the tourists suffered a two-day defeat. Although wicketless, he cleared 93mph in his first innings, hitting all-rounder Cameron Green on the helmet with a heavy bouncer before slowing down for a short stint during Australia’s chase.
He has previously made it clear he will not play in all five games Down Under, telling former England captain Michael Vaughan on FOX Sports:
England’s two spare seamers, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, are currently in Canberra preparing for the Lions’ clash with the Premier’s eleven. This will give them welcome time in midfield should they be called up, and the pair are expected to join up with the rest of the Test squad on Monday.
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
always UK and Ireland
1st test (Perth – 21st to 25th November): Australia defeats England by 8 wickets 2nd Test (day/night): Thursday 4th December to Monday 8th December (4am) – The Gabba, Brisbane 3rd Test : Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December (11:30pm) – Adelaide Oval Fourth Test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11:30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground 5th Test: Sunday 4 January to Thursday 8 January (11:30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
