England batter Joe Root has responded to recent comments made by former Australia coach Darren Lehmann, who questioned Root’s status as an all-time great due to his lack of a century in Australia. Lehmann argued that while Root is a great player, his failure to score a hundred during an Ashes series in Australia holds him back from being considered among the best in cricket history.

Speaking ahead of the first Test between England and New Zealand in Christchurch, Root dismissed Lehmann's criticism, stating that he prefers to focus on his job, which is to score runs. He also acknowledged Lehmann's right to express his opinion.

"My job is to score runs, right? To turn up every game and try to do all I can out in the middle. His job is to give his opinion and talk on the radio."

Root, who has scored 892 runs in 14 Tests in Australia at an average of 35.68, further added:
"I've not spoken to him for a while. I'll do my job and he can do his job. He's completely entitled to say what he wants. That's his right."

Lehmann’s remarks stirred discussions about Root's career, particularly regarding his performances in challenging conditions, with the former Australia batter stating on ABC Sports:

"They’ve [all-time greats] made runs all over the world in difficult conditions against different oppositions, and that’s the only thing stopping Joe Root. I think he’s a great player, but is he an all-time great? I don’t have him in that realm."