Andrew Gale has insisted that his Yorkshire teammate Joe Root should be opening the batting for England in Test cricket.

Root, who started his Test career in the middle order, partnered Alastair Cook during last summer's Ashes series before seeing Michael Carberry promoted for the tour of Australia in the winter.

The 23-year-old scored one century during his brief stint as an opener, and Gale believes that he deserves to be given more of a chance to succeed in the role.

"For me, he's an opening batter and I don't think he's been given a fair run in the England side opening the batting," the Yorkshire captain told reporters.

"Rooty's had success playing for Yorkshire since he was a 13-year-old opening the batting. That's where he bats for Yorkshire and for me that's where he should bat for England."

Root averages 36.73 with the bat after 15 matches at Test level.