Joe Root Declares Aussie Test Series Digs Are Insignificant

Commentators down under have been queuing to take shots at England's key player for months

The comments began when Darren Lehmann claimed that Joe Root must make a hundred in Australia to be considered an "cricket great"

Subsequently David Warner well-known "surfing board" remark aimed at Root

In recent weeks, Blewett excluded Root from a historical England XI on the grounds he has not reached a hundred in any of his 14 Test matches in Australia

The batsman stays unbothered regarding the remarks

"They will keep stating what they want in any case so why worry thinking about it?" Root said

"It won't create significant change

"When we look back in five year's time no-one is going to remember what Matthew Hayden stated about me, Blewett's opinions, Mark Waugh, whoever it is"

"People will remember at the final result and consider it an English victory or the opposite"

Hayden has been a minority of former players to come out supporting Root

In response to Blewett's claim, he stated he'd "walk without clothes" at the MCG during the upcoming season if Root does not scratch his Australian century itch

That puts the pressure on Root unprecedentedly maybe, ahead of the contest starting on November 21st

"Perhaps that's true," Root acknowledged

"At the end of the day this Australian visit doesn't revolve around me

"When I'm batting well and scoring heavily it gives us a great opportunity to secure victory in Australian conditions"

Root's Australian Record

Root has spoken earlier wanting his first ton in down under "overly"

The player maintains a decent average of 35.68 in numerous Tests in Australian venues - with nine scores over fifty - however his top score stands in double digits at eighty-nine

Changed Situation

For this tour he arrives free from the weight of being captain, something he had on prior Australian trips, additionally he'll be member of a batting order and wider squad whose chances to perform well look improved than of the past visiting sides

Neither Root nor captain Ben Stokes have been successful in a Test on Australian shores

"I go there under changed circumstances to last time, different circumstances, a lot more experience now and I feel like I grasp thoroughly regarding my technique and how I want to manage it in the conditions" the batsman stated

"Naturally you need to apply that and perform adequately at important times, however I feel quite confident with where everything is at and eager for both the chance and test awaiting us"

"Above all being an experienced player the emphasis lies in not just performing through scoring runs but all additional aspects that comes with it"

England's Best Chance

Following 120 minutes of cricket drills with young players during a charity event in Yorkshire, Root has to correct himself when asked if he concurs this is England's best chance to secure an overseas Ashes victory throughout his career with the squad

"It definitely does, to be completely honest," he commented, upgrading an initial assessment of "perhaps"

"The element which I'm most anticipating is heading there employing a fresh tactic as a playing group"

"We're going to be able to hit them with something quite different in terms of our pace attack

"plus the chance to potentially play several pacemen that bowl 90mph-plus throughout extended spells"

"It isn't as if we'll travel there with the same formula and hope for changed results

"We're heading there and try and do it a slightly different way which generates excitement"