Root questions pink-ball Test

ENGLAND'S Joe Root yesterday questioned whether the Ashes needed a pink-ball Test, while expressing confidence in his ability to score heavily 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 all seven of England's previous day-night Tests. They have won two and lost five. However, Root is not entirely convinced that the matches need to be part of an Ashes series, despite the first three days of the second Test at the Gabba being sold out.

"I personally don't think so," he said, when asked if the Ashes required 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.