Joe Root States Australian Ashes Digs Are Insignificant

Former Australian players have been lining up to make comments at England's key player for some time

The comments began when Darren Lehmann suggested that Joe Root must make a hundred in Australia to be regarded as an "legendary player"

Then came Warner's now-famous "wave-riding board" jibe targeting the veteran cricketer

More recently, Greg Blewett omitted Root from an all-time England XI because he hasn't achieved a century in all of his 14 Test matches in Australia

Root remains unbothered regarding the remarks

"They will keep stating what they want in any case so why concern myself being concerned?" the 34-year-old commented

"It doesn't produce much difference

"In retrospect after five years nobody will recall what Matthew Hayden said to me, Greg's comments, Waugh's statements, anyone else"

"People will remember at the final result and consider it a win for England or otherwise"

Matthew Hayden has been one of the few former players to come out on Root's side

Addressing Blewett's statement, he declared he'd "walk without clothes" throughout the Melbourne stadium during the upcoming season if Root does not score his Australian hundred

That puts the pressure on Root unprecedentedly maybe, ahead of the contest starting on 21 November

"Possibly so," the batsman admitted

"At the end of the day this Australian visit is not about me

"When I'm batting well and scoring heavily it gives us a fantastic prospect to claim the series out in Australia"

Performance in Australia

Root has spoken about previously aiming for his first hundred in Australian conditions "overly"

The player maintains a reasonable average of thirty-five point six eight in 14 Tests in down under - he has nine fifties - however his top score is stuck under three figures at 89

New Context

This time he comes free from the weight of being captain, responsibilities he held on prior Australian trips, and he'll also serve as member of a batting order and wider squad having opportunities to perform well seem better versus earlier three to have made the trip

Root along with and captain Stokes have won a Test on in Australia

"I'm heading there with a totally different role to last time, changed conditions, a lot more experience now and I believe I grasp thoroughly about my batting and how I want to manage it within Australian conditions" Root said

"Obviously you must put that into practice and excel during crucial moments, however I feel quite confident about my current situation and looking forward to both the chance and test that lies ahead"

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

Optimal Opportunity

Following 120 minutes of cricket drills with young players at a Chance to Shine event in Leeds, the batsman revised his comment when asked whether he believes this is their prime chance to claim an Ashes series abroad throughout his career as part of the side

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

"The aspect that I'm most anticipating is heading there with a completely different approach as a playing group"

"We will possess the ability to confront them with a substantially altered strategy concerning our pace attack

"along with the possibility to potentially play multiple fast bowlers who deliver 90mph-plus throughout extended spells"

"It's not like we are going to go there employing similar tactics and hope for changed results

"We'll travel there and strive to achieve it a slightly different way that's truly exciting"