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In response to Darren Lehmann's remark that he is not an all-time great, star England batter Joe Root said the former Australia coach has the right to say anything he wants. Lehman had recently expressed his belief in Root being considered one of the greatest of the current era, and his viewpoint attracted widespread attention.
According to the former Australia batter, Root's failure to score a century in an Ashes series in Australia is the only thing preventing him from being regarded as one of the greatest of all time. This, according to Lehmann, is the reason he can not put Root in the same group as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson.
Lehmann on Root
"That's the only thing stopping Joe Root. He's a great player, but is he an all-time great? I don't have him in that realm. I don't have him in that realm. I think you've got to make hundreds all around the world. [Steve] Smith does, [Kane] Williamson has, Kohli has, [Rohit] Sharma has – I mean they're world-class players," Lehmann told ABC Sports.
Joe Root's reply
In response to Lehmann's remarks before the New Zealand series, Root stated that his role is to score runs and that the former Australia coach is free to express his views. The English star said that he hasn't talked to he former Australia in a long time but he has the right to have his opinion.
"My job is to score runs, right? To turn up every game and try to do all I can out in the middle. His job is to give his opinion and talk on the radio. I've not spoken to him for a while. I'll do my job and he can do his job. He's completely entitled to say what he wants. That's his right," said Root.
Root is anticipated to be part of the team when they travel to Australia for the 2025 Ashes, having visited the country on three separate occasions. In 14 games thus far, Root has amassed 1338 runs at an average of 58.17. He will have the opportunity to increase his total when England and New Zealand play a three-match Test series beginning on November 28.
