Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann says Ashes ton will put Joe Root in contention for greatest ever

The England champion is yet to mark centre in the Ashes, but the talk around his record on Aussie shores is already a hot topic.

Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann, who once dismissed Root for his inability to score an away Ashes ton, says he is on the cusp of being the game’s best ever.

Root has hit the second most Test runs and fourth most tons, and Lehmann expects Root to pass Sachin Tendulkar in both records.

But one thing still missing on his glittering resume is a century in Australia.

“There’s a lot of hype about Joe Root, isn’t there? I’ve watched him bat this year and he looks well in control,” Lehmann told ABC Summer Grandstand.

“He’s just going to make little adjustments in how he plays in Australia. If he does that, he will actually make 100. But he’s had three goes at it, as I’ve said before.

“If he makes a hundred, he will be the greatest batter of all time.

“He will pass all the records. He’s going to break all the records because his desire to play is second to none.”

Root and centuries in Australia is a topic Lehmann has form in.

He once called Root below the big four for going three Australian tours without making a century.

Lehmann says his comments were taken without context and is now backing England’s No.4 to break his Aussie drought.

“People took it out of context when I said he’s not a ‘great’,” Lehmann said.

“He just needs to finish off what’s been a remarkable career.”

Originally published as Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann says Ashes ton will put Joe Root in contention for greatest ever