Joe Root Says Australian Test Series Digs Won't Be Remembered

Commentators down under have been waiting to take shots about star batsman for some time

First it was Darren Lehmann stated that the England batsman must make a hundred in Australia to be regarded as an "cricket great"

Then came Warner's well-known "wave-riding board" jibe aimed at the veteran cricketer

More recently, another former Australian player left Root out from a historical England XI because he hasn't achieved a century in each of his 14 international Tests in Australian conditions

England's star maintains unflustered regarding the remarks

"They are going to say what they want regardless so why concern myself worrying about it?" the 34-year-old stated

"It won't create significant change

"Looking back after five years no-one is going to remember what Matthew Hayden commented regarding me, Blewett's opinions, Mark's views, whomever it might be"

"Everyone will recall the series outcome and consider it an English victory or not"

Hayden represents among the rare commentators to speak out supporting Root

Addressing Blewett's claim, he said he promised to "walk nude" around the Melbourne Cricket Ground this summer if Root does not scratch his Australian century itch

That creates the pressure on Root more than ever maybe, prior to the matches starting on 21 November

"Perhaps that's true," the batsman admitted

"When all is said and done this Australian visit doesn't revolve around me

"Should I make runs and scoring heavily it gives us an excellent chance to claim the series out in Australia"

Performance in Australia

Root has mentioned earlier desiring his initial century in down under "excessively"

Root possesses a reasonable average of over thirty-five in fourteen Test matches in Australian venues - with nine scores over fifty - but his high score stands in double digits at 89

Changed Situation

On this occasion he travels free from the weight of leadership, which he carried on prior Australian trips, additionally he'll be part of a batting line-up and wider squad having opportunities of succeeding look improved than of the past visiting sides

Neither Root nor captain Ben Stokes have achieved victory in a Test on in Australia

"I'm traveling there with a totally different role compared to previous visits, changed conditions, a lot more experience at present and I feel like I understand completely of my game and how I plan to handle it in the conditions" Root explained

"Obviously you must apply that and perform adequately at important times, but I am quite confident with where everything is at and eager for both the chance and test awaiting us"

"Above all as a senior player the emphasis lies in beyond simply achieving in terms of the runs but everything else related to it"

Prime Possibility

Substantial time of cricket drills with youngsters during a charity event in Yorkshire, Root amended his statement upon being questioned whether he believes this is England's best chance to secure an overseas Ashes victory in his playing years in the team

"Without question it does, to be completely honest," he said, upgrading an initial assessment of "probably"

"The aspect that I'm most excited about is traveling there employing a fresh tactic collectively"

"We will possess the ability to hit them with a significantly different approach regarding our bowling lineup

"along with the possibility to potentially play several pacemen who deliver 90mph-plus throughout extended spells"

"It's not like we're heading there employing similar tactics and anticipate altered outcomes

"We'll travel there and try and do it through altered methods which is really exciting"