England captain Joe Root has backed under-pressure Rory Burns and Jack Leach to rebound from their bad forms in the series-opening defeat in Brisbane. “Rory is a very strong character, you can’t doubt that side of his game,” Root told reporters. 

“He’ll come back in and want a response and want to put some big scores on the board.” 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.