Joe Root, the experienced English cricketer, has raised concerns regarding the inclusion of a pink-ball Test in the Ashes series. Root has now featured in all seven of England’s pink-ball Tests. He is the all-time leading run scorer for an Englishman in Test cricket. As England prepare for their final Test against India, Root considers the unique challenges of day-night cricket. Then he digs into how this format specifically affects the quality of your team’s creative work.
The International Cricket Council approved Day-night Tests in 2015. Since then, teams have had mixed results with this format. Australia has adopted this format, historically holding their floodlit Tests in Adelaide. They’ve got a pretty handy record of 13 wins out of 14 in day-night Tests globally. This recent success has transformed them into dangerous animals during Friday nights. Mitchell Starc is making the push bowling first in day-night Tests. Amazingly, his talent to never bowl under 87 mph has allowed him to claim more wickets than any other bowler ever.
England, on the other hand, have had a disastrous run with pink-ball Tests. Yet the team has lost five of their seven matches in this format. This was the first time they had lost three times on their tours of Australia. But even more so than usual, Root’s personal performance has come under scrutiny. Having scored nought and eight against Starc in Perth, Latham speaks of the value of knowing what their game plan is when constructing a knock under the pink ball.
Root compared it to the big change in playing conditions when the floodlights come on in day-night Tests. “At different phases of the day it can feel quite placid, you can feel out of the game with the ball and things can turn around,” he noted. This uncertainty brings a new layer of difficulty that teams need to figure out how to work under.
When considering the future of pink-ball Tests in Ashes series, Root asked if they need to be part of it. “It does add to things. It’s successful and popular here, and Australia have got a good record here as well. You can see why we’re playing one of those games,” he stated. He made the case for being technically proficient and courageous when it matters, to beat Australia’s firepower.
As England continue to contemplate their approach for the second Test, they could opt to add Josh Tongue as a straight replacement. Or they might be able to take advantage of the spin talents of Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks. Root is still in the process of finding a balance to provide success when up against Australia’s fiery and otherwise dangerous bowling attack. And just trusting the fact that I know I’m a good player, I know I’m going to be able to score runs again. I’m not going to mince words about the way that I intend to build my innings. The pink ball, these conditions, and this kind of attack all need a scientific approach,” he said.
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