Joe Root Says Australian Test Series Digs Are Insignificant

Commentators down under have been lining up to make comments about star batsman for months

The comments began when an ex-Australian cricketer suggested that the England batsman needs to score a hundred in Australia to be regarded as an "cricket great"

Following that the Australian opener now-famous "wave-riding board" remark aimed at the veteran cricketer

More recently, Greg Blewett left Root out from a legendary England XI on the grounds he has not reached a century in any of his 14 international Tests in Australia

England's star maintains unconcerned by the criticism

"They will keep stating what they want regardless so why bother worrying about it?" the 34-year-old stated

"It won't create a huge amount of difference

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

"They are going to look back at the final result and think that is an English victory or the opposite"

Matthew Hayden has been one of the few former players to speak out supporting Root

In response to Blewett's statement, he stated he promised to "walk without clothes" throughout the Melbourne stadium during the upcoming season unless Root manages to scratch his Australian century itch

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

"Perhaps that's true," Root said

"Ultimately this tour is not about me

"When I'm batting well and making substantial contributions it offers us a great opportunity to win a series in Australian conditions"

Australian Statistics

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

He has a reasonable average of over thirty-five in numerous Tests in Australian venues - including nine half-centuries - however his top score remains in double digits at eighty-nine

Changed Situation

This time he travels without carrying of leadership, something he had on prior Australian trips, and he'll also serve as member of a batting order and complete squad having opportunities for success seem better compared to previous visiting sides

Neither Root plus skipper Stokes have been successful in an international Test on Australian soil

"I'm traveling there with a totally different role versus earlier tours, different circumstances, significantly more experience currently and I feel like I understand completely of my game and how I want to manage it in the conditions" the batsman stated

"Obviously you must put that into practice and perform adequately when it really counts, but I am quite confident about my current situation and eager for both the chance and test that lies ahead"

"More than anything as a senior player the focus is on more than just performing by making runs but every other element that comes with it"

Prime Possibility

Following 120 minutes of training exercises with youngsters at a promotional activity in Yorkshire, Root has to correct himself when asked if he concurs this is their prime chance to claim an Ashes series abroad during his time as part of the side

"Without question it does, to be completely honest," he said, correcting his earlier statement of "probably"

"The element which excites me most is heading there with a completely different approach collectively"

"We'll have the capability to hit them with a substantially altered strategy in terms of our pace attack

"along with the possibility to possibly field three or four bowlers that bowl over ninety miles per hour consistently"

"It's not like we're heading there employing similar tactics and expect different results

"We are going to go there and attempt to accomplish it a slightly different way which is really exciting"