Root fends off new attack from Warne but admits he would be prepared to drop down order

The former spin king repeated his accusations of the summer that Alastair Cook’s captaincy is “negative” and “boring”.

Warne also suggested Sheffield-born batsman Root needs a break from opening the batting if he is to avoid being “crucified” by Australia’s bowlers on bouncy pitches in the forthcoming Ashes series.

Root, who says he would accept dropping down the order after a sobering first Ashes series as an opener in the summer, assured England fans he will be no sacrificial lamb to the slaughter in Australia.

“I don’t know why he said that,” said Root, 22.

“I think typically, when they toured England, they had a very distinct way of attacking us in the media – and that’s one way they go about things. Well, it’s one way he goes about things.

“But that’s not for me to worry about.

“I can only prepare for what I’m going to be doing and it would be wrong for me to look at things like that. I can only concentrate on my cricket.”

Warne’s latest attack on Cook is a revisit of the vitriol the outspoken pundit spouted in the summer.

Warne said: “He can be negative, boring, not very imaginative – and still win and be happy.

“But I’ll tell you my opinion – I think Alastair Cook has to be more imaginative.

“I think if Australia play well, and he continues to captain the way he does, England will lose the series.

“He lets the game drift.”

Like Root, England batsman Ian Bell refused to rise to Warne’s latest criticism.

Bell is an old hand at deflecting Warne’s jibes, from the latter’s playing days right through to his current habitat in the commentary box.

“It’s quite funny at times,” said Bell.

“I’ve certainly learnt over time that there’s no point wasting energy trying to find compliments from Australians. It’s just not going to happen.

“We could win 5-0 and still have negatives from Australia, so I’m not going to waste any energy any more worrying about it – and I don’t think the other lads will either. That’s how we feel.

“At the end of the day, we’ve just got to go out and do what we do and look after the team and the environment we have and go out and win.”

Bell was man-of-the-series in the summer as England defeated Australia 3-0. Although he was on a winning side, it was a tough baptism for Root.

He hit a Test-best 180 at Lord’s but recorded only one other half-century in 10 innings, averaging 37.66.

Part of Warne’s critique is that Root should be dropped down the order to No 6, something the young Yorkshireman would not be adverse to.

“I just love playing for England,” he said as the tourists prepared for their second warm-up match against Australia A in Hobart tomorrow.

“I relish any opportunity to put the shirt on, put the cap on and go out and represent my country. I will try and do the best job possible wherever I bat.

“It has been great opening the batting and I have enjoyed every minute of it but wherever I play, I will play and that is something I enjoy.

“Opening is something I have done all my career but representing England is the pinnacle for me and regardless of where that is in the line-up, playing is the main thing for me.”

Root made 36 in England’s opening tour match against Western Australia Chairman’s XI, while rival opener Michael Carberry stole a march by scoring 78.

That puts the pressure on Root to find his feet quickly after what seemed a long autumn of inactivity.

“Not playing for a while, you forget how frustrating it is getting out,” he said.

“I was really enjoying it out there and felt in good rhythm.

“It was good to get some time under my belt in the middle and I’m looking forward getting stuck in again.”