Joe Root States Australian Test Series Digs Will Be Forgotten

Commentators down under have been lining up to offer opinions at England's veteran cricketer for months

Initially, Darren Lehmann suggested that Joe Root requires a century in Australian conditions to earn the status of an "cricket great"

Then came David Warner much-discussed "surfing board" comment targeting Root

Last month, another former Australian player excluded Root from a legendary England XI because he has not reached three figures in all of his 14 Test matches in Australian conditions

Root remains unflustered about the comments

"They are going to say exactly what they choose anyway so why worry worrying about it?" the 34-year-old said

"It won't create a huge amount of difference

"Looking back in five year's time people won't remember Hayden's remarks said to me, Greg's comments, Waugh's statements, anyone else"

"They are going to look back at the final result and consider it a win for England or the opposite"

The legendary opener has been one of the few Australian voices to come out on Root's side

In response to Blewett's statement, he said he would "walk without clothes" around the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the coming months should Root fail to scratch his Australian century itch

That puts the pressure on Root more than ever possibly, prior to the matches commencing on the 21st of November

"Perhaps that's true," the batsman admitted

"Ultimately this tour is not about me

"When I'm batting well and making substantial contributions it offers us an excellent chance to claim the series out in Australia"

Root's Australian Record

Root has spoken in the past aiming for his first hundred in down under "too much"

He has a respectable average of 35.68 in numerous Tests in Australian venues - he has nine fifties - yet his best performance is stuck under three figures at the eighties

Different Circumstances

This time he arrives without carrying of being captain, something he had on his last two visits, additionally he'll be component of the batting lineup and larger team with prospects to perform well look improved versus earlier visiting sides

Both Root and and captain Stokes have achieved victory in an international Test on Australian soil

"I'm heading there with a totally different role compared to previous visits, altered situations, much greater familiarity currently and I feel like I have a really good understanding about my batting and my approach to managing it within Australian conditions" the batsman stated

"Naturally you need to apply that and excel during crucial moments, however I feel quite confident regarding my preparation and looking forward to the opportunity and challenge coming up"

"Above all in my veteran role it is about beyond simply achieving through scoring runs but every other element accompanying it"

Optimal Opportunity

After two hours of cricket drills with young players during a charity event in Leeds, Root has to correct himself when asked whether he believes this is England's best chance to secure an overseas Ashes victory throughout his career as part of the side

"Without question it does, if I am being brutally honest," he said, correcting his earlier statement of "probably"

"The aspect that I'm most anticipating is traveling there with a completely different approach collectively"

"We'll have the capability to confront them with a significantly different approach concerning our pace attack

"along with the possibility to maybe include several pacemen capable of bowling exceeding 90mph for a sustained period"

"It's not like we'll travel there employing similar tactics and expect different results

"We'll travel there and try and do it through altered methods that's truly exciting"