Australian legend Shane Warne has tipped Joe Root as a future England captain following the Yorkshireman's resolute showing on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test.
Root top-scored with 87 as England batted for a whole day for the first time in the series to close on 247-6 at Adelaide, leaving Australia needing just four wickets on Monday to move into a 2-0 series lead.
"I think everyone's impressed with Joe Root," Warne told reporters. "You can see that there is something about him. He's going to be an England player for a long time because he's a quality player.
"I was hoping that he'd have time down in that five or six position to find his feet and then slowly move up to three - but if he can make three his own, then fine. I still think Ian Bell should bat at three even though Root did well.
"He's going to be a 10-year player plus but give him the best possible chance to do that. I think he could even be a captain, given the way he presents himself. He's very honest, very straight up; there is no fumbling of things, he just gives it to you straight."
Matt Prior and Stuart Broad will resume at the crease on Monday, unbeaten on 31 and 22 respectively, as England fight to save what would be an unlikely draw.
Joe Fish
