'We're human, going to make mistakes' – Root on England's dropped catches

Joe Root defended England after a ragged day in the field at the Gabba, where they dropped five catches—four under lights in a single session. Combined with erratic bowling, the lapses allowed Australia to build a potentially vital 44-run lead in the pink-ball Test.

Root noted that despite extensive preparation, day-night conditions proved difficult to fully simulate.

"We worked as hard as we could in the lead-up to this," Root said. "We had five days of prep and did a huge amount of catching. We utilised training sessions under lights, but you can't replicate that surface, the bounce, the way the nicks come. It's never going to be perfect. All you can do is give yourself the best possible chance, and I think we've done that.

"Sometimes they don't stick. We're not perfect, we're all human and we're going to make mistakes. It's how we respond. We must turn up tomorrow with the right frame of mind, knowing our best cricket is good enough to do special things here."

England's five dropped catches:

• 8.2: Jofra Archer to Travis Head. A length delivery nipping away, Head edges it thickly. Jamie Smith reacts late to his left, gets both hands but deflects it between slips.
• 56.2: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey. A short, sharp ball thuds into Carey's gloves and lobs towards gully. Ben Duckett moves forward but the ball pops out at the last moment.
• 63.2: Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis. A short delivery cut late towards gully. Duckett dives with an outstretched right hand but doesn't hold on.
• 68.3: Jofra Archer to Michael Neser. Neser cuts a short ball aerially to cover. Brydon Carse drops a straightforward catch, the ball hitting his thigh.
• 69.2: Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey. Carey lofts with a thick outside edge. Root at first slip is late to pick it up, diving with an outstretched right hand but parrying it to the boundary. Replays suggested wicketkeeper Jamie Smith might have been better positioned to attempt the catch.

Marnus Labuschagne acknowledged the challenge of fielding under lights in Brisbane.

"Yeah, it can be tricky. Especially here at the Gabba with the seats and sideboarding being red, it's real tricky. I practice fielding the most during pink-ball cricket."

Jack Weatherald noted Australia benefited from fewer chances in the most difficult area.

"We were lucky we didn't get as many catches square of the wicket as them. It is really difficult, especially when the ball is hit hard and there's dew. The visuals aren't great."

Despite the setbacks, Root believed England's final-hour efforts kept them in the contest.

"It's clear we weren't at our best in phases," he told TNT Sports. "The way we dragged things back shows what this game can be like. We've got work to do, but we're well and truly in this game.

"If we get things right in the morning and apply ourselves, we can put ourselves in a really strong position on a wicket that looks like it's playing. There might be a few cracks to work with later. First, we must get things right tomorrow.

"We have to come out with huge energy. We know our best cricket can turn a game quickly. If we're anywhere near our best, this game can turn in our favour. It could be very tricky batting last on this surface."