Root Says Aussie Test Series Digs Are Insignificant

Australian critics have been lining up to make comments about star batsman for months

The comments began when Darren Lehmann suggested that Joe Root needs to score a hundred in Australian conditions to be regarded as an "legendary player"

Following that Warner's much-discussed "surfing board" comment aimed at the veteran cricketer

More recently, another former Australian player omitted Root from a historical English team on the grounds he has not reached three figures in each of his 14 Test matches in Australia

Root remains unbothered by the criticism

"They are going to say exactly what they choose anyway so why bother thinking about it?" Root commented

"It doesn't make 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, Waugh's statements, whoever it is"

"They are going to look back on the scoreline and think that is a win for England or not"

Matthew Hayden represents a minority of former players to come out in Root's defense

In response to Blewett's claim, he declared he promised to "walk nude" around the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the upcoming season if Root does not score his Australian hundred

That puts expectations for Root more than ever possibly, prior to the matches starting on the 21st of November

"Maybe it is," the batsman admitted

"Ultimately this series isn't centered on me

"Should I make runs and accumulating big scores it gives us a fantastic prospect to secure victory in Australian conditions"

Australian Statistics

Root has mentioned about previously aiming for his first hundred in Australia "too much"

He has a respectable average of 35.68 in 14 Tests in Australia - he has nine fifties - but his high score remains below one hundred at the eighties

New Context

This time he travels free from the weight of captaincy, something he had on prior Australian trips, and he'll also serve as member of a batting order and larger team with prospects of succeeding look improved versus earlier visiting sides

Both Root and plus skipper Stokes have been successful in a Test on Australian shores

"I'm heading there in a completely different capacity versus earlier tours, changed conditions, significantly more experience at present and I consider that I grasp thoroughly regarding my technique and my approach to managing it down under" Root said

"Clearly you have got to put that into practice and perform adequately during crucial moments, but I am quite confident with where everything is at and anticipating the opportunity and challenge that lies ahead"

"Above all being an experienced player the emphasis lies in not just performing in terms of the runs but everything else that comes with it"

England's Best Chance

Substantial time of cricket drills alongside youth at a Chance to Shine 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 as part of the side

"Without question it does, being totally frank," he commented, correcting his earlier statement of "maybe"

"The element which I'm most anticipating is heading there with a totally new strategy collectively"

"We will possess the ability to hit them with a substantially altered strategy regarding our bowling lineup

"plus the chance to potentially play multiple fast bowlers that bowl 90mph-plus for a sustained period"

"It's not like we're heading there with the same formula and hope for changed results

"We're heading there and try and do it through altered methods which is really exciting"