Pink-ball batting master still prefers red-ball cricket

Marnus Labuschagne has scored more centuries in day-night Test matches than any other player but admits he would prefer the second match of the Ashes was a standard red-ball fixture.

After rival middle-order batter Joe Root suggested the Ashes did not need a day-night Test, Labuschagne took a similar line speaking to media on Monday.

Australia's No.3, who made an unbeaten half-century in his comeback match at Optus Stadium, has tonned up four times under lights since the day-night concept was introduced in 2015.

Three of those centuries have come at Adelaide Oval, the most frequent venue for Australia's home day-night Tests.

He averages 63.86 in pink-ball Tests but is yet to reach triple figures after two Tests of facing the pink ball at the Gabba.

"I think what Adelaide has done with the pink ball Test is pretty awesome, how they've made it an event, how it all kind of fits together," Labuschagne said ahead of the Brisbane Ashes Test.

"Would I prefer to play red ball over pink ball? Probably, just because you play it more, you're used to the colour of the ball, you're used to those things.

"There's a few intricate things about the pink ball that make it a bit of a different game."

But Labuschagne has seen the cricketing public warm to the day-night concept, which was specifically introduced to boost attendances.

"When it first came along, everyone was like, 'No, we just want red ball, we want red ball'," he said.

"(But) it's become something that Australia have been very good at, we've learned over time the different moments of the game, and how to play them so hopefully that can be an advantage going into this game."

Fellow Australian batter Travis Head is the closest to matching Labuschagne's record of four centuries, scoring three tons under lights in his Test career.

His Test high score of 175 came under lights against West Indies at Adelaide Oval in 2022, as did a century at the same venue last summer to help level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series with India.

Head called day-night Tests "great for the game".

"Obviously we've embraced it. We've been able to put out a good product," he said.

England have lost all three previous day-night Tests played as part of the Ashes.

After Root questioned whether the series needed a day-night Test, Head said it was natural for one team to enjoy the format more than the other.

"If you win, you think it's great and if you lose, maybe not. Both teams might have differing opinions by the end of it," Head said.

"And pink ball, white ball, red ball, who really cares? Does it need it, does it not? It's a great spectacle. We're going to have huge crowds again. Look forward to the week."