Fast bowler Scott Boland has identified Joe Root as the key England batter Australia will look to contain in the upcoming Ashes, with the series opener scheduled for November 21 at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Australia have long had a tradition of singling out influential English players, Glenn McGrath famously targeted key batters before each Ashes encounter, while former captain Michael Clarke instructed his bowlers to neutralise Alastair Cook during the 5-0 whitewash in 2013-14.

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With the opening Test in Perth starting November 21, Root has again become a focal point in local discussions, especially given that he has yet to score a Test century in Australia.

“You always want to take down the best players. In the past, when Joe Root was captain, you wanted to try to make sure

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