Brisbane, Nov. 30 -- Joe Root faced a left-handed thrower during England's first training session at The Gabba in Brisbane, ahead of the second Ashes Test, a pink-ball match, as he worked on strategies to counter Australia's Mitchell Starc, who has frequently troubled the England batter, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Starc and Root have faced each other 23 times across red- and pink-ball Tests, with Starc holding the advantage in their ongoing rivalry. Root, the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, averages just 17.36 against Starc, who has dismissed Root 10 times in Tests, including twice in last week's Ashes opener.

Mitchell Starc dismantled England in the first Test at Perth, claiming 10 wickets in the game, giving Australia a 1-0...