Australia’s day-night dominance puts England Ashes tactics under scrutiny | Ali Martin

The top seven is unlikely to change but the balance of England’s Adelaide attack will be crucial to chances of levelling the series

It would be tempting to look up to the heavens for inspiration in the City of Churches but the burden of selection falls chiefly on the shoulders of Joe Root before a day-night Ashes Test that has very quickly taken on paramount importance.

Root was referred to as “player” by the crowd during his first Ashes tour, such was his lack of profile at the time, but eight years on he has won more Test matches, 27, than any other man to lead the England team. By his own admission, however, winning back the urn in Australia this winter will still define how history remembers his tenure and so, sitting 1-0 down, the next five days (and nights) appear to be crunch time.