Joe Root States Australian Test Series Comments Will Be Forgotten

Former Australian players have been queuing to offer opinions at England's star batsman for months

Initially, an ex-Australian cricketer claimed that the England batsman must make a century in down under to be regarded as an "all-time great"

Subsequently Warner's well-known "surfing board" comment directed toward the veteran cricketer

More recently, Blewett left Root out from an all-time England lineup on the grounds he has not reached three figures in each of his 14 international Tests in Australian conditions

England's star maintains unconcerned by the criticism

"They are going to say exactly what they choose in any case so why bother worrying about it?" Root stated

"It won't create a huge amount of difference

"When we look back after five years no-one is going to remember the comments from Hayden commented regarding me, Greg's comments, Mark's views, whoever it is"

"People will remember on the scoreline and view it as a win for England or not"

The legendary opener represents among the rare former players to come out supporting Root

In response to Blewett's claim, he stated he would "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 which begins on 21 November

"Possibly so," Root acknowledged

"Ultimately this series is not about me

"If I am scoring runs and accumulating big scores it offers us an excellent chance to claim the series in Australian conditions"

Performance in Australia

Root has mentioned about previously aiming for his first hundred in down under "overly"

Root possesses a respectable average of 35.68 in 14 Tests in Australia - including nine half-centuries - but his high score remains under three figures at 89

New Context

On this occasion he comes without the burden of captaincy, which he carried on his last two visits, and he'll also serve as part of a batting line-up and larger team having opportunities to perform well seem better versus earlier three to have made the trip

Root along with nor captain Ben Stokes have been successful in a Test match on Australian soil

"I'm heading there under changed circumstances compared to previous visits, changed conditions, a lot more experience at present and I feel like I understand completely about my batting and how I want to manage it down under" Root said

"Obviously you must apply that and excel at important times, but I am very assured with where everything is at and eager for the opportunity and challenge that lies ahead"

"Above all being an experienced player the emphasis lies in more than just performing by making runs but everything else that comes with it"

Optimal Opportunity

Following 120 minutes of practice sessions with young players at a Chance to Shine event in Yorkshire, Root amended his statement upon being questioned if he agrees this represents England's optimal opportunity to win an away Ashes during his time in the team

"It definitely does, being totally frank," he commented, upgrading an initial assessment of "probably"

"The element which I'm most anticipating is going there employing a fresh tactic as a team"

"We'll have the capability to confront them with something quite different in terms of our pace attack

"and the opportunity to possibly field several pacemen capable of bowling 90mph-plus throughout extended spells"

"We're not going to we'll travel there employing similar tactics and expect different results

"We're heading there and attempt to accomplish it through altered methods which generates excitement"