Joe Root Says Aussie Ashes Digs Will Be Forgotten

Former Australian players have been waiting to make comments about star batsman for months

First it was an ex-Australian cricketer suggested that the England batsman needs to score three figures in down under to earn the status of an "legendary player"

Following that Warner's now-famous "surfing board" comment targeting the veteran cricketer

More recently, another former Australian player omitted Root from an all-time England XI because he hasn't achieved three figures in each of his 14 Tests in Australia

The batsman stays unflustered about the comments

"They'll continue saying whatever they wish regardless so why bother being concerned?" the 34-year-old said

"It won't create a huge amount of difference

"Looking back in five year's time nobody will recall what Matthew Hayden stated about me, Greg Blewett, Mark's views, anyone else"

"Everyone will recall on the scoreline and think that is an English victory or otherwise"

Hayden represents among the rare Australian voices to speak out in Root's defense

Reacting to Blewett's statement, he said he promised to "walk without clothes" around the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the coming months unless Root manages to scratch his Australian century itch

That creates the pressure on Root like never before maybe, ahead of the contest starting on November 21st

"Perhaps that's true," the batsman admitted

"When all is said and done this series doesn't revolve around me

"Should I make runs and scoring heavily it provides us a fantastic prospect to secure victory down under"

Australian Statistics

The batsman has discussed about previously aiming for his first hundred in down under "overly"

The player maintains a reasonable average of over thirty-five in 14 Tests in Australia - he has nine fifties - but his high score stands under three figures at eighty-nine

Changed Situation

For this tour he travels without the burden of captaincy, which he carried on his last two visits, additionally he'll be part of a batting line-up and wider squad whose chances for success appear higher compared to previous three to have made the trip

Neither Root plus skipper Stokes have achieved victory in an international Test on Australian shores

"I'm traveling there in a completely different capacity to last time, different circumstances, much greater familiarity now and I consider that I grasp thoroughly about my batting and how I plan to handle it within Australian conditions" Root explained

"Clearly you have got to put that into practice and excel when it really counts, however I feel very assured regarding my preparation and eager for both the chance and test coming up"

"More than anything as a senior player the emphasis lies in not just performing in terms of the runs but all additional aspects that comes with it"

England's Best Chance

Substantial time of training exercises with youngsters during a charity event in Yorkshire, Root amended his statement when asked if he concurs this represents England's optimal opportunity to win an away Ashes throughout his career with the squad

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

"The aspect that excites me most is traveling there with a completely different approach as a team"

"We will possess the ability to present them with a substantially altered strategy concerning our bowling attack

"along with the possibility to potentially play three or four bowlers capable of bowling 90mph-plus for a sustained period"

"It isn't as if we're heading there employing similar tactics and expect different results

"We're heading there and strive to achieve it a slightly different way which is really exciting"