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“Absolutely not”: Why Root is against pink-ball Ashes Test
SEN • December 1st, 2025 9:29 am
England’s Joe Root believes there is no place for a pink-ball Test within an Ashes series against Australia.
As the Poms prepare for the second Test at the Gabba which kicks off on Thursday, the gun bat spoke to the media about his thoughts on day/night Tests.
While he doesn’t mind a pink-ball Test in general, Root insists they should not be played during a fire and brimstone Ashes series because they’re not traditional.
“I don’t mind it,” he said. “I mean, I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and just got to make sure we’re better than them at it.
“I don’t think you need it in Ashes series, absolutely not. It’s clearly something that works here for Australia, and they enjoy it. So I think we’ve just got to make the most of the opportunity to play it and put your best foot forward if you get your chance.
“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’re playing one of those games.
“Ultimately, you know from two years out it is going to be there. It’s part and parcel of making sure you’re ready for it. A series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be here either.”
While Root may not love it from an Ashes perspective he is well aware that he and his teammates will still have to find a way to beat the Aussies under lights in Brisbane.
“It looks like we'll have half of a day under floodlights,” he added.
“The twilight phase is in the middle session, when usually that comes around the back end of the second session and the start of the last session.
“There will be different elements to contend with, but that is all part of the fun, right? Can we be skilful enough and brave enough to be better than Australia in those big moments?”
Root enters the second Test on the back of scores of 0 and 8 in Perth where the English were beaten by eight wickets.
England will be forced into at least one change after fast bowler Mark Wood was ruled out with a knee concern.
The Gabba Test kicks off on Thursday from 2pm local time (3pm AEDT) all across the SEN network.
