Ashes 2013-14: Joe Root ready to face Mitchell Johnson

England’s batsman Joe Root, a likely option to be promoted to the No 3 batting spot in the absence of Jonathan Trott, said it was exciting to face Mitchell Johnson’s fiery pace in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba.

AFP reported Root as saying, “It’s great. That’s why you play Test cricket, is to get into battles like that, to get into confrontations like that and try to be successful in those situations. Bring it on on Thursday. It should be good fun.”

When asked about him likely being promoted to No 3 position to replace Jonathan Trott, he said, “It doesn’t really matter to me. Just to represent my country regardless of opening, three, five, six, it’s been brilliant. If I get the chance to do it, it will be a great experience.”

On Australia’s sledging in the first Test match, he told, “It’s all part of the game. Whether you like it or not, you’ve got to deal with it on the field and find your own way of coping with it.”