Root Declares Australian Ashes Digs Won't Be Remembered

Commentators down under have been waiting to take shots at England's star batsman for months

First it was a former coach suggested that the England batsman needs to score three figures in down under to be considered an "all-time great"

Following that the Australian opener much-discussed "surfboard" comment targeting the England batsman

More recently, Blewett left Root out from a historical England XI on the grounds he hasn't achieved three figures in all of his 14 international Tests in Australian conditions

England's star maintains unflustered regarding the remarks

"They will keep stating exactly what they choose regardless so why worry 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 what Matthew Hayden said to me, Greg Blewett, Mark's views, whomever it might be"

"They are going to look back on the scoreline and consider it an English victory or not"

Matthew Hayden represents a minority of commentators to speak out supporting Root

Addressing the exclusion, he said he would "walk without clothes" at the MCG in the coming months unless Root manages to scratch his Australian century itch

That creates expectations for Root like never before perhaps, before the series starting on November 21st

"Possibly so," Root said

"Ultimately this series isn't centered on me

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

Root's Australian Record

The batsman has discussed in the past desiring his initial century in Australia "too much"

He has a reasonable average of thirty-five point six eight in 14 Tests in down under - including nine half-centuries - yet his best performance stands in double digits at the eighties

Changed Situation

For this tour he travels without the burden of captaincy, something he had on his last two visits, additionally he'll be member of a batting order and larger team with prospects of succeeding appear higher than of the past three to have made the trip

Neither Root nor captain Ben Stokes have won a Test on in Australia

"I'm heading there with a totally different role compared to previous visits, changed conditions, significantly more experience at present and I consider that I grasp thoroughly of my game and how I plan to handle it within Australian conditions" the batsman stated

"Clearly you have got to implement that and perform adequately when it really counts, but I am quite confident regarding my preparation and eager for the challenge and opportunity awaiting us"

"More than anything in my veteran role the emphasis lies in more than just performing in terms of the runs but all additional aspects that comes with it"

England's Best Chance

After two hours of practice sessions with youngsters during a charity event in Leeds, Root amended his statement upon being questioned if he concurs this is their prime chance to secure an overseas Ashes victory throughout his career in the team

"It definitely does, to be completely honest," he said, upgrading an initial assessment of "maybe"

"The thing that excites me most is heading 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

"and the opportunity to possibly field three or four bowlers who deliver 90mph-plus for a sustained period"

"We're not going to we'll travel there employing similar tactics and hope for changed results

"We're heading there and attempt to accomplish it using modified approaches that's truly exciting"