Root Says Australian Test Series Digs Will Be Forgotten

Australian critics have been queuing to take shots at England's key player for months

The comments began when an ex-Australian cricketer claimed that the England batsman must make a hundred in Australia to earn the status of an "legendary player"

Then came Warner's much-discussed "surfboard" jibe aimed at the veteran cricketer

In recent weeks, another former Australian player excluded Root from a legendary England lineup because he hasn't achieved a century in each of his 14 Test matches in down under

England's star maintains unflustered about the comments

"They'll continue saying what they want anyway so why concern myself thinking about it?" the 34-year-old commented

"It doesn't make significant change

"When we look back in five year's time people won't remember Hayden's remarks commented regarding me, Blewett's opinions, Waugh's statements, anyone else"

"Everyone will recall the series outcome and think that is a win for England or not"

Matthew Hayden represents one of the few Australian voices to stand up in Root's defense

In response to Blewett's statement, he said he promised to "walk nude" at the MCG this summer if Root does not score his Australian hundred

That puts expectations for Root like never before perhaps, prior to the matches commencing on 21 November

"Possibly so," Root said

"When all is said and done this tour isn't centered on me

"If I am scoring runs and accumulating big scores it gives us a great opportunity to claim the series down under"

Australian Statistics

The batsman has discussed earlier wanting his first ton in Australia "too much"

He has a reasonable average of over thirty-five in fourteen Test matches in Australian venues - with nine scores over fifty - however his top score is stuck under three figures at the eighties

New Context

This time he arrives without carrying of leadership, responsibilities he held on prior Australian trips, additionally he'll be part of a batting line-up and wider squad having opportunities of succeeding appear higher compared to previous visiting sides

Both Root and plus skipper Stokes have won a Test on Australian shores

"I'm heading there with a totally different role compared to previous visits, changed conditions, a lot more experience now and I believe I have a really good understanding regarding my technique and how I plan to handle it in the conditions" Root said

"Clearly you have got to implement that and be good enough at important times, yet I'm really comfortable with where everything is at and eager for the opportunity and challenge coming up"

"Primarily being an experienced player the focus is on more than just performing through scoring runs but everything else related to it"

Prime Possibility

Substantial time of cricket drills alongside youth at a promotional activity in his hometown, Root has to correct himself when asked whether he believes this is England's best chance to secure an overseas Ashes victory during his time as part of the side

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

"The aspect that I'm most anticipating is heading there with a totally new strategy as a playing group"

"We're going to be able to confront them with a significantly different approach in terms of our bowling attack

"and the opportunity to maybe include several pacemen capable of bowling over ninety miles per hour for a sustained period"

"We're not going to we'll travel there with the same formula and hope for changed results

"We'll travel there and attempt to accomplish it a slightly different way which is really exciting"