Melbourne, Sept. 12 -- Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden expressed confidence that ace England batter Joe Root will break his century drought Down Under during the Ashes series in November this year.

The Ashes series in Australia will be an extremely crucial one for both England and Root himself. For England, this will be their chance to win the first away Ashes series since 2011 and their first overall since 2015.

It would be the ultimate test of their 'Bazball' school of cricket under skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum in tough, pacey and bouncy Aussie conditions. It would also be important for Root's legacy, who, despite his red-hot form and conversion rate in the 2020s, has yet to register a Test ton in Australia. ...