Joe Root Says Australian Test Series Digs Are Insignificant

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

The comments began when an ex-Australian cricketer suggested that Joe Root must make a hundred in Australian conditions to be regarded as an "all-time great"

Then came David Warner much-discussed "surfing board" comment directed toward the England batsman

More recently, Greg Blewett left Root out from a historical English team because he has not reached three figures in all of his 14 Test matches in Australian conditions

The batsman stays unbothered regarding the remarks

"They are going to say exactly what they choose anyway so why bother being concerned?" Root said

"It doesn't produce significant change

"In retrospect in five year's time nobody will recall Hayden's remarks commented regarding me, Blewett's opinions, Mark's views, anyone else"

"People will remember the series outcome and consider it a historic England win or otherwise"

Matthew Hayden represents among the rare Australian voices to come out in Root's defense

Reacting to Blewett's claim, he declared he'd "walk nude" at the MCG this summer if Root does not scratch his Australian century itch

This places expectations for Root more than ever maybe, ahead of the contest which begins on 21 November

"Maybe it is," Root acknowledged

"When all is said and done this series doesn't revolve around me

"Should I make runs and making substantial contributions it provides us an excellent chance to claim the series out in Australia"

Australian Statistics

Root has mentioned about previously desiring his initial century in down under "excessively"

Root possesses a reasonable average of thirty-five point six eight in 14 Tests in Australia - he has nine fifties - but his high score is stuck below one hundred at the eighties

Different Circumstances

For this tour he arrives free from the weight of leadership, responsibilities he held on prior Australian trips, while he will also be member of a batting order and larger team whose chances of succeeding seem better than of the past visiting sides

Root along with and captain Stokes have been successful in an international Test on Australian soil

"I'm traveling there under changed circumstances versus earlier tours, altered situations, significantly more experience at present and I feel like I understand completely regarding my technique and my approach to managing it within Australian conditions" the batsman stated

"Clearly you have got to put that into practice and be good enough when it really counts, however I feel very assured regarding my preparation and anticipating the challenge and opportunity coming up"

"Primarily as a senior player the emphasis lies in beyond simply achieving in terms of the runs but every other element related to it"

England's Best Chance

Substantial time of practice sessions with young players at a Chance to Shine event in his hometown, Root has to correct himself when asked whether he believes this represents England's optimal opportunity to secure an overseas Ashes victory during his time as part of the side

"Absolutely it does, if I am being brutally honest," he stated, correcting his earlier statement of "maybe"

"The aspect that I'm most excited about is heading there with a completely different approach as a team"

"We're going to be able to confront them with a substantially altered strategy concerning our bowling lineup

"plus the chance 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 anticipate altered outcomes

"We are going to go there and try and do it using modified approaches which generates excitement"