Joe Root States Australian Ashes Jibes Will Be Forgotten

Commentators down under have been queuing to make comments about key player for some time

First it was an ex-Australian cricketer claimed that Root must make a century in down under to be considered an "legendary player"

Subsequently the Australian opener well-known "surfboard" remark aimed at the veteran cricketer

Last month, another former Australian player omitted Root from an all-time England lineup on the grounds he hasn't achieved a century in all of his 14 international Tests in down under

England's star maintains unbothered about the comments

"They will keep stating whatever they wish regardless so why concern myself being concerned?" the 34-year-old said

"It won't create a huge amount of difference

"Looking back five years from now no-one is going to remember what Matthew Hayden said to me, Greg's comments, Mark's views, whomever it might be"

"Everyone will recall at the final result and think that is a historic England win or otherwise"

The legendary opener stands as one of the few commentators to speak out supporting Root

Reacting to the exclusion, he declared he would "walk without clothes" throughout the Melbourne stadium in the coming months should Root fail to scratch his Australian century itch

This places additional pressure on Root like never before possibly, prior to the matches starting on the 21st of November

"Perhaps that's true," Root acknowledged

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

"Should I make runs and making substantial contributions it gives us an excellent chance to win a series out in Australia"

Performance in Australia

Root has mentioned in the past aiming for his first hundred in Australian conditions "excessively"

He has a respectable average of thirty-five point six eight in 14 Tests in down under - with nine scores over fifty - yet his best performance is stuck under three figures at 89

Different Circumstances

On this occasion he travels without the burden of being captain, responsibilities he held on prior Australian trips, while he will also be component of the batting lineup and complete squad having opportunities for success appear higher compared to previous three English teams that toured

Neither Root plus skipper Stokes have won a Test match on in Australia

"I go there under changed circumstances compared to previous visits, changed conditions, much greater familiarity currently and I believe I grasp thoroughly regarding my technique and how I plan to handle it in the conditions" Root said

"Clearly you have got to apply that and perform adequately when it really counts, but I am really comfortable about my current situation and anticipating the challenge and opportunity that lies ahead"

"Primarily in my veteran role the focus is on more than just performing in terms of the runs but all additional aspects accompanying it"

Optimal Opportunity

After two hours of training exercises alongside youth at a promotional activity in Leeds, Root amended his statement when asked whether he believes this is their prime chance to claim an Ashes series abroad during his time as part of the side

"Absolutely it does, to be completely honest," he commented, correcting his earlier statement of "probably"

"The thing that excites me most is heading there with a totally new strategy as a playing group"

"We will possess the ability to hit them with something quite different in terms of our pace attack

"and the opportunity to potentially play multiple fast bowlers that bowl 90mph-plus consistently"

"It's not like we're heading there with the same formula and anticipate altered outcomes

"We are going to go there and try and do it using modified approaches which generates excitement"