England’s Joe Root questions need for pink-ball Test in Ashes

Joe Root

England's Joe Root on Sunday questioned whether the Ashes needed a pink-ball Test as he expressed confidence in his ability to get a big score in the day-night clash against Australia in Brisbane.

The former captain, Test cricket's second highest run-scorer after Sachin Tendulkar, has played in each of England's seven previous day-night Tests. They have won two and lost five. But he is not sold on the idea of the matches being part of an Ashes series, with the first three days of the second Test at the Gabba sold out. "I personally don't think so," he told reporters when asked if the Ashes needed the second Test, which begins on Thursday, 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 are masters of pink-ball Tests - winning 13 of 14 matches under lights. Their only defeat was against the West Indies at the Gabba last year, but England have not won in Brisbane since 1986.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever