England cricket captain Joe Root has openly questioned the necessity of including pink-ball Test matches in the high-stakes Ashes series. His comments come just before the highly anticipated day-night contest scheduled for Thursday in Brisbane. This surprising stance contrasts sharply with the format's established popularity and proven success in Australia.
The Popularity Versus Practicality Debate
The upcoming match at the Gabba is a significant milestone, marking the 25th pink-ball Test ever played and the fourth in the rich history of the Ashes rivalry. Demonstrating its immense draw, tickets for the first three days have already been completely sold out. The format, introduced a decade ago primarily to boost stadium attendance, continues to be a fixture, with the second Test of the 2025-26 Ashes at the same venue already scheduled to continue this tradition.
When directly asked if the iconic Ashes series truly requires a pink-ball Test, Root did not hesitate. "I personally don't think so," the England skipper stated. He acknowledged the format's success, saying, "It does add to things. It's obviously very successful and popular here, and obviously Australia have got a very good record here as well." Root pointed out that teams know about these fixtures years in advance, but reiterated his core doubt: "A series like this, does it need it? I don't think so, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be here either."
Logistics and the Unique Challenge of Brisbane
The day-night Test received official approval from both Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). It is important to note that the International Cricket Council (ICC) only sanctions such matches when there is mutual consent from both competing boards. The scheduling is strategically planned, with a 2pm start time in Brisbane that ensures prime-time television viewing for Australian audiences while still maintaining daylight broadcast hours for fans in the United Kingdom.
As a veteran of all seven of England's previous day-night Tests and having captained in six of them, Root is well-acquainted with the format's dynamic nature. He explained how the game can shift dramatically under the floodlights. "At different phases of the day, it can feel quite placid and you can feel out of the game with the ball, and things can turn around," Root said. He emphasized the tactical nuance required for batsmen, highlighting the need to recognize key moments and adapt quickly to changing conditions.
Root specifically highlighted the unique timing challenge of the Brisbane Test, where sunset is expected during the second session. This differs from England's previous day-night experiences. "It looks like we'll have half of a day under floodlights. The twilight phase is in the middle session," he noted, contrasting it with the usual timing. He framed this unpredictability as part of the contest, adding, "There will be different elements to contend with, but that is all part of the fun, right? Can we be skillful enough and brave enough to be better than Australia in those big moments?"
A Chance to Make History Against the Odds
The challenge for Root's England is monumental. Australia boasts a formidable record in pink-ball Tests, having lost only one of their 14 matches, with that sole defeat coming against West Indies at the Gabba just last year. Compounding the difficulty, England has not secured a victory at the Gabba since the 1986-87 Ashes series, a statistic that looms large over the visiting team.
However, Root is choosing to see this as a monumental opportunity. "It is a chance to make a bit of history," he declared with determination. "It will make it all that bit sweeter if we can get over the line here. I've played at other venues where we've got terrible records, then come out and won; it's a great feeling. That's the carrot dangled in front of us." This mindset sets the stage for a thrilling encounter where England will aim to defy history and their hosts' pink-ball supremacy.
