New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) Joe Root believes he is “better positioned than ever” to finally achieve a Test century in Australia as he gears up for what he describes as a “mentally demanding” Ashes series later this year.

The former captain of England, who will embark on his fourth Ashes tour Down Under when it kicks off in Perth on November 21, acknowledged that discussions regarding his inability to score a century in Australia are likely to arise again - but he emphasizes that his attention is firmly set on aiding England in recapturing the urn.

“I feel I am in a different mindset compared to when I last played there,” Root stated during an interview with Sky Sports at a celebrity padel event in Sheffield. “I am no longer burdened by captaincy, and I have gained significant experience. The last couple of years have been fruitful, and I have absorbed valuable lessons from my past tours as a batter and senior player.”

Root's highest score in Australia remains 89, achieved in Brisbane during the 2021–22 series, despite having notched up nine fifties across three tours. Now boasting 39 Test centuries - trailing only behind Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting - the 34-year-old feels this might finally be his moment.

“I am certain there will be much chatter about my failure to score a hundred thus far, but I feel prepared for it,” Root remarked. “Significant series are opportunities you want to participate in and make contributions to. You seek to create lasting memories with your teammates. This is the chance we must pursue and seize.”

Root emphasized that personal achievements would take a backseat to the team's success. “As long as I fulfill my role within the team, personal accolades will follow, but that is not my primary focus. It’s about reclaiming that urn, as it has been a long time since we held it. I believe we possess substantial resources to take to Australia and challenge them effectively. If I perform well, it enhances our chances.”

Reflecting on England's intense 2–2 series draw against India at home this summer, Root noted that it served as excellent preparation for the upcoming challenge. “We gained a glimpse of what it’s like when we faced India - another monumental series - so we’re somewhat ready for the additional pressures surrounding the matches. We can carry many lessons into The Ashes,” he stated.

“There are additional aspects. The mental strain, coupled with a packed cricket schedule, can affect you both mentally and physically, necessitating robust planning. In the last two tours, several matches were evenly contested in the initial days before Australia outperformed us, adapting to the conditions better and leveraging superior resources.”

Root also lauded captain Ben Stokes, who is recovering from a shoulder injury. “He is looking promising. You can count on him to leave no stone unturned and to prepare himself fully for the physical and mental demands ahead. He is extremely determined for us to deliver our best performance.”