The simmering tensions of the Ashes have boiled over into the media once again, with Australian newspapers taking a fresh swipe at England captain Joe Root ahead of the crucial second Test in Brisbane.
A Front Page Barb
Following England's comprehensive two-day defeat in the first Test at Perth, the touring side faced further hostility from the press. The West Australian newspaper led the charge on Monday, placing a picture of Root on its front page alongside the headline: 'Death, taxes and whiny Poms.' This latest barb was a direct response to comments made by the England batter regarding the upcoming day-night Test.
Root had previously expressed scepticism about the necessity of a pink-ball match in a historic rivalry like the Ashes. 'I personally don't think so,' he stated when asked if the series needed such a fixture. However, he did acknowledge its popularity in Australia, adding, 'It's successful and popular here, and Australia have got a good record here as well. You can see why we're playing one of those games.'
A Stark Contrast in Fortunes
The statistics reveal why opinions on the pink-ball format differ so sharply between the two camps. Since the International Cricket Council approved day-night Tests in 2015, Australia have dominated, winning 13 of their 14 matches played with the pink ball. In stark contrast, England's record is poor, having lost five of their seven pink-ball Tests to date.
England's difficult history with the format includes heavy defeats in Adelaide in both 2017 and 2021, and another loss in Hobart in 2022. Their sole victories came against the West Indies in 2017 and New Zealand earlier this year in February 2023.
Australia Embraces the Innovation
Defending the concept, Australian batter Travis Head highlighted how the format has been embraced locally. 'We've been able to put out a good product and play really well with it,' he said. 'Pink ball, white ball, red ball - who really cares?... It's a great spectacle and we're going to have huge crowds again.'
Head suggested that results colour perceptions, noting, 'If you win, you think it's great. If you lose, maybe not.' He praised the pink-ball Test for bringing a 'different atmosphere' to the traditional five-day game.
The media onslaught is part of a sustained campaign by certain Australian outlets since England's arrival. Captain Ben Stokes was previously labelled a 'cocky captain complainer', while the team were dubbed 'pathetic Poms' after the first Test. With the series resuming at the Gabba on Thursday, the psychological warfare off the pitch is as intense as the contest promised on it.
