INTERNATIONAL: England captain Joe Root has backed Rory Burns and Jack Leach to rebound from their horror shows in the series-opening defeat in Brisbane as the tourists look to square the Ashes with victory in the day-night second test at Adelaide Oval. Burns was bowled out first ball of the series, dropped an easy catch that allowed David Warner to go on to score 94, and failed with the bat again in the second innings of England's nine-wicket defeat by Australia.

Root says, "Rory (Burns) is a very strong character, one thing you can never doubt about him is that side of his game. He's someone who will get stuck in, he relishes a big occasion and a challenge, and stands up to it. You look at his performances in the last Ashes series actually, he put in some really fine performances and played some brilliant knocks.”

He says he is sure Rory will come back in and will want a response and to put some big scores on the board. Leach conceded 1-102 at nearly eight runs per over as Australia's batsmen hit the spinner out of the attack. Stuart Broad and James Anderson were rested in Brisbane and both pacemen are expected to come in for Adelaide but Root would not rule out Leach retaining his place in the side.

In the 2017/18 Ashes series, England lost the pink-ball test in Adelaide on the way to a 4-0 defeat and will face an opponent who have never lost a test under lights. Root said his batsmen should feel more comfortable against the swinging pink ball after they struggled with the bounce at the Gabba, where they were skittled for 147 in the first innings and lost eight wickets in a session in the second.

Root has added, "I don't think it's as straightforward as looking at that as a concern, actually you look at it and you think they took an opportunity, they played it pretty well, and most importantly if you get the opportunity again, if they try and do that on a wicket that's a bit more responsive, then it brings him into the game even more."

^{PHOTO: ENGLAND TRAINING / JOE ROOT PRESS CONFERENCE}