Root States Australian Test Series Digs Are Insignificant

Commentators down under have been lining up to offer opinions about key player throughout the year

Initially, Darren Lehmann suggested that Root requires a hundred in Australian conditions to earn the status of an "all-time great"

Then came the Australian opener well-known "surfing board" remark aimed at the veteran cricketer

In recent weeks, Blewett omitted Root from a historical England XI on the grounds he has not reached a hundred in each of his 14 international Tests in Australia

Root remains unflustered regarding the remarks

"They will keep stating whatever they wish in any case so why bother thinking about it?" Root said

"It won't create much difference

"Looking back after five years people won't remember what Matthew Hayden stated about me, Greg's comments, Mark Waugh, anyone else"

"People will remember on the scoreline and view it as a win for England or the opposite"

Matthew Hayden represents among the rare Australian voices to speak out on Root's side

Addressing the exclusion, he stated he promised to "walk without clothes" throughout the Melbourne stadium in the coming months unless Root manages to scratch his Australian century itch

This places expectations for Root like never before perhaps, ahead of the contest commencing on 21 November

"Perhaps that's true," Root acknowledged

"At the end of the day this Australian visit doesn't revolve around me

"When I'm batting well and scoring heavily it gives us a great opportunity to secure victory down under"

Root's Australian Record

The batsman has discussed in the past wanting his first ton in down under "excessively"

He has a respectable average of 35.68 in 14 Tests in Australia - with nine scores over fifty - yet his best performance is stuck below one hundred at the eighties

Changed Situation

This time he travels without the burden of captaincy, responsibilities he held on the two previous tours, while he will also be member of a batting order and wider squad having opportunities to perform well appear higher than of the past three to have made the trip

Root along with plus skipper Stokes have been successful in an international Test on Australian soil

"I'm traveling there in a completely different capacity compared to previous visits, different circumstances, much greater familiarity now and I believe I have a really good understanding of my game and how I plan to handle it within Australian conditions" the batsman stated

"Obviously you must put that into practice and be good enough at important times, yet I'm quite confident regarding my preparation and eager for the opportunity and challenge awaiting us"

"More than anything as a senior player the emphasis lies in more than just performing in terms of the runs but every other element related to it"

England's Best Chance

Following 120 minutes of practice sessions alongside youth during a charity event in Leeds, the batsman revised his comment when questioned if he agrees this is England's best chance to claim an Ashes series abroad throughout his career in the team

"Absolutely it does, to be completely honest," he commented, upgrading an initial assessment of "maybe"

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

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

"along with the possibility to maybe include several pacemen who deliver over ninety miles per hour for a sustained period"

"It isn't as if we are going to go there with the same formula and anticipate altered outcomes

"We'll travel there and attempt to accomplish it using modified approaches which generates excitement"