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Ahead of the much-anticipated Ashes series, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels that there`s a possibility of Joe Root breaking his century drought in Australia.
“That`s what it is, a mental thing for him this series more than anything else. His game is magnificent at the moment. He`s got to get over that little mental hurdle and get 100. And I actually think he will get that 100 this time around,” Ponting said as quoted by the ICC.
So far, the Englishman has achieved everything possible in the traditional format of the game, but one thing that would make him feel complete would be smashing a century on Australian soil.
Further speaking, Ponting also said that Root has become a better-equipped player.
“I think he`s better equipped now as a player than ever. Other times he`s come here to Australia, he`s had one or two little technical issues that on the extra bouncy wickets, the Australian fast bowlers have been able to exploit,” he added.
The legendary Australia skipper was nothing short of praise for Root and backed him to get his century during the Ashes.
“And I have watched the way that he`s played over the last 12 or 18 months, it looks like he`s worked really hard on taking those motive dismissals out of play. But you also know that little man that sits on your shoulder, he keeps telling you, you haven`t done well here in the past, and you haven`t got 100 here,” said the 50-year-old former cricketer.
So far, Joe Root is the second-highest run-getter in the format with 13,543 runs and 39 centuries.
In Australia, Root is not only winless in his 14 previous Tests against the Aussies, but he has also not scored as he would have liked, having made nine half-centuries at an average of 35.68, scoring 892 runs in 14 matches and 27 innings.
With his best score being 89 and having three scores of 80s, the veteran has been unlucky to miss out on the milestone in some of the toughest conditions to bat in.
The first Test match of the Ashes series between England and Australia is scheduled to be played from November 21.
(With ANI Inputs)
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