Joe Root Says Aussie Ashes Digs Won't Be Remembered

Former Australian players have been queuing to offer opinions about veteran cricketer throughout the year

First it was Darren Lehmann stated that Root must make a hundred in Australian conditions to be regarded as an "all-time great"

Then came the Australian opener much-discussed "surfboard" remark aimed at Root

More recently, Blewett excluded Root from a historical England XI on the grounds he hasn't achieved a hundred in all of his 14 Tests in Australian conditions

Root remains unbothered about the comments

"They will keep stating whatever they wish regardless so why worry thinking about it?" Root commented

"It won't create a huge amount of difference

"In retrospect in five year's time nobody will recall Hayden's remarks commented regarding me, Greg Blewett, Mark Waugh, whomever it might be"

"They are going to look back on the scoreline and consider it an English victory or not"

Matthew Hayden represents a minority of commentators to speak out on Root's side

Addressing the exclusion, he said he promised to "go naked" at the MCG this summer if Root does not achieve his Australian ton

That creates expectations for Root like never before maybe, ahead of the contest starting on 21 November

"Possibly so," Root acknowledged

"Ultimately this Australian visit is not about me

"Should I make runs and making substantial contributions it provides us an excellent chance to secure victory out in Australia"

Root's Australian Record

The batsman has discussed in the past wanting his first ton in Australian conditions "overly"

He has a reasonable average of 35.68 in fourteen Test matches in down under - he has nine fifties - yet his best performance is stuck in double digits at eighty-nine

New Context

On this occasion he arrives without the burden of captaincy, responsibilities he held on prior Australian trips, while he will also be member of a batting order and larger team with prospects for success seem better compared to previous three English teams that toured

Both Root and nor captain Ben Stokes have been successful in a Test on in Australia

"I'm traveling there with a totally different role versus earlier tours, changed conditions, a lot more experience currently and I believe I understand completely of my game and my approach to managing it within Australian conditions" Root said

"Naturally you need to implement that and excel at important times, however I feel really comfortable about my current situation and anticipating both the chance and test awaiting us"

"Above all as a senior player the emphasis lies in more than just performing through scoring runs but everything else that comes with it"

Optimal Opportunity

After two hours of cricket drills alongside youth at a promotional activity in Leeds, Root has to correct himself when questioned if he agrees this is England's best chance to claim an Ashes series abroad in his playing years in the team

"It definitely does, if I am being brutally honest," he commented, revising his first response of "perhaps"

"The thing that excites me most is traveling there employing a fresh tactic collectively"

"We'll have the capability to hit them with something quite different regarding our bowling attack

"along with the possibility to maybe include three or four bowlers that bowl over ninety miles per hour consistently"

"It isn't as if we'll travel there using identical methods and hope for changed results

"We're heading there and attempt to accomplish it through altered methods that's truly exciting"