Joe Root and Travis Head disagree on unpopular Ashes decision after England preparation slammed

Joe Root has questioned whether England and Australia need to be playing a pink-ball game as part of the Ashes series Down Under ahead of the day-nighter in Brisbane this week. The Aussies lead 1-0 after winning the first Test in Perth with Travis Head producing a sensational knock at the top of the order as the hosts chased down 205 runs to win. England are aiming to level the series at the Gabba, a ground where they have not won since 1986 and will have to do so in challenging conditions. The International Cricket Council sanctioned day-night games in 2015 as an attempt to attract more spectators, utilising a pink ball to enhance visibility throughout the game. A traditional red ball would not be visible during the evening - whereas a pink ball can. However, there has never been a pink-ball Test in England, with some claiming that it favours the Australians, who have an incredible record with it. They've won 12 of the 13 pink-ball Tests played in their home country, with Mitchell Starc boasting an incredible 81 wickets costing 17.08 runs apiece. Former England captain Root doesn't believe there needs to be a pink-ball match in the Ashes with the popularity of the series enough to draw in the crowds. He told BBC Sport : "I personally don't think so. It does add to things. 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. "Ultimately, you know from two years out it's 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." However, Travis Head, Australia's match-winner from the first test in Perth, disagreed with his English counterpart. He said: "We've embraced it. We've been able to put out a good product and play really well with it. Pink ball, white ball, red ball - who really cares? "Does it need it, does it not? It's a great spectacle and we're going to have huge crowds, again. If you win, you think it's great. "If you lose, maybe not. Both teams may have differing opinions by the end of it. I think it's great for the game. "We talk about T20, T10 and you see all these different formats. It still works the same way. It's still five days, it's just with a slightly different coloured ball and it brings a different atmosphere." The second Test in Brisbane will be played from December 4-8 and England know a defeat would leave them with a mountain to climb. Ex-captain Michael Vaughan has hammered England's preparations for the second Test - after not sending players to a two-day pink-ball game in Canberra against an Australia Prime Minister's XI. He claimed that it would have been a huge boost for players lacking in confidence after the disappointing batting collapse in the first Test. Ben Stokes ' side are hopeful of bringing the urn home but have not won in Australia since 2010-11 - which they won 3-1.