Justin Langer: "We spend a lot of time working out how to get on top of Joe Root"

Root is in fine form in 2021, with six Test centuries to his name, and during the first match of the series in Brisbane he overtook Michael Vaughan to claim the English record for most Test runs in a calendar year

Much of Australia's preparation time during the Ashes has been spent figuring out how to get Joe Root out, Justin Langer has said.

Root is in fine form in 2021, with six Test centuries to his name, and during the first match of the series in Brisbane he overtook Michael Vaughan to claim the English record for most Test runs in a calendar year.

No wonder, then, he poses a conundrum for the Australian attack.

^{Joe Root is in excellent form for England (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)}

"He is a brilliant player, no doubt about that, and we spend a lot of our time working out how to get on top of Joe," Langer said on Thursday as he and his team geared up for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

"That's not only because he’s such a world-class player, but he's also the captain of the opposition. It's always been a philosophy in the Australian cricket team to put as much pressure on the opposition captain as possible."

Root has made two 80s and averages 43.75 in the current series, down on his career equivalent of just over 50 but up on his average in Australia, which is a shade under 40.

"Root is tough, though we say he hasn’t necessarily got a really big hundred yet," Langer said. "But he's been an excellent player in this series already so we’ll continue to do our homework on him and make sure, or hope, that we can keep having good effects with him."

Meanwhile, Langer has reaffirmed his desire to remain in charge of Australia's men's team across cricket's formats.

^{Australia head coach Justin Langer (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)}

With an increasingly hectic calendar, the workload for international coaches can be relentless, but Langer is keen to oversee all parts of the operation - in Tests, ODIs and T20s. 

"I've never thought differently to be honest," he said.

"I've been consistent with what I've said for the last four years. I love my job. And the boys are playing well. No doubt about it. It's a great team to be involved in. So nothing's changed from my point of view."

Australia are waiting to find out whether Josh Hazlewood will be fit to feature as he continues to nurse a side strain.

The seamer is unlikely to play a part, with serious consideration being given to handing Scott Boland a debut.

Boland trained with the Aussies in Adelaide and was formally added to the squad ahead of the third Test.

Mitchell Starc is expected to be fit following a rib problem picked up during the victory at the Adelaide Oval.

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