Root Declares Australian Ashes Jibes Are Insignificant

Australian critics have been lining up to take shots about veteran cricketer for some time

The comments began when Darren Lehmann suggested that Root needs to score a century in Australia to earn the status of an "all-time great"

Following that David Warner much-discussed "surfing board" comment directed toward the veteran cricketer

More recently, another former Australian player left Root out from a legendary English team due to the fact he's failed to score a century in all of his 14 Tests in Australia

Root remains unbothered by the criticism

"They are going to say exactly what they choose regardless so why bother worrying about it?" the 34-year-old said

"It won't create much difference

"When we look back five years from now nobody will recall the comments from Hayden said to me, Greg's comments, Mark's views, whoever it is"

"Everyone will recall the series outcome and think that is a win for England or not"

The legendary opener represents one of the few Australian voices to come out on Root's side

In response to the exclusion, he declared he'd "go naked" at the MCG during the upcoming season unless Root manages to achieve his Australian ton

This places expectations for Root like never before perhaps, prior to the matches starting on November 21st

"Perhaps that's true," Root acknowledged

"At the end of the day this series is not about me

"When I'm batting well and accumulating big scores it offers us an excellent chance to win a series down under"

Root's Australian Record

The batsman has discussed about previously desiring his initial century in Australian conditions "overly"

The player maintains a reasonable average of 35.68 in numerous Tests in down under - including nine half-centuries - however his top score stands in double digits at 89

Changed Situation

For this tour he arrives free from the weight of being captain, responsibilities he held on prior Australian trips, and he'll also serve as component of the batting lineup and larger team whose chances for success look improved versus earlier three English teams that toured

Both Root and nor captain Ben Stokes have been successful in a Test on Australian soil

"I'm heading there under changed circumstances versus earlier tours, different circumstances, much greater familiarity currently and I consider that I have a really good understanding of my game and how I want to manage it in the conditions" Root said

"Obviously you must apply that and excel during crucial moments, yet I'm quite confident about my current situation and looking forward to the opportunity and challenge coming up"

"Above all being an experienced player it is about not just performing in terms of the runs but everything else related to it"

England's Best Chance

Following 120 minutes of training exercises with young players at a Chance to Shine event in his hometown, Root has to correct himself when questioned if he agrees this is England's best chance to win an away Ashes during his time with the squad

"It definitely does, if I am being brutally honest," he commented, revising his first response of "perhaps"

"The aspect that I'm most anticipating is traveling there with a completely different approach collectively"

"We'll have the capability to present them with a substantially altered strategy concerning our pace attack

"along with the possibility to maybe include several pacemen that bowl exceeding 90mph for a sustained period"

"It's not like we're heading there using identical methods and hope for changed results

"We're heading there and try and do it a slightly different way that's truly exciting"