England cricket team star Joe Root has opined that there is no need for a pink-ball game in the five-match Test series against Australia in the Ashes. The batter’s remarks come after the visitors were handed an embarrassing defeat in Perth in the opening game, thanks to Travis Head and Mitchell Starc. While majority of the England’s main XI skipped the warm-up pink-ball game against Australia PM’s XI in Canberra, Root reckoned that the day-night Test wasn’t needed at all.
Joe Root doesn’t want pink-ball Test in Ashes
As per ESPNCricinfo, Root opined that a pink-ball Test wasn’t needed in the ongoing Ashes series. The veteran England batter has been a part of all seven day-night Tests that the team has played so far and led the team on six of those occasions. Ahead of the AUS vs ENG 2nd Test, Root fired a warning to his teammates, noting that the game could change quickly under the floodlights.
“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. You can see why we are playing one of those games, and ultimately, you know from two years out it is going to be there. A series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be there either,” Root said.
The last time England played a pink-ball game was against New Zealand in 2023. They defeated the Kiwis by 267 runs on that occasion in New Zealand. It is pertinent to point out that Australia have los just one out of the 14 pink-ball Tests that they have played so far.
“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. Similarly, with the bat, it is about recogonising those moments and utilising them the best you can. when to put the foot down and maximise on the best batting conditions,” Root added.
