Australia’s Scott Boland admits Joe Root remains the most prized wicket in England’s Ashes line-up, regardless of his ongoing search for a first century Down Under.

Despite boasting more than 13,000 Test runs – more than any other active cricketer and second only to Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time list – Perth’s West Australian newspaper welcomed Root’s arrival in the country with a front page splash dubbing him “Average Joe”.

Such jibes are built around the fact that he has yet to reach three figures in 14 matches in the country but, with the series opener just four days away, Boland made it clear there is nothing but respect for Root in the home dressing room.

“I think you always want to try and take down the best players,” said the veteran seamer, who is set to stand in for

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