Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has insisted that England should persist with Joe Root as an opening batsman.

Twenty-three-year-old Root has spent the majority of his County Championship career as an opener, but in his 15 Tests with England, he has been utilised in a number of positions up and down the order.

However, Gale believes that his teammate has not been given a "fair run" on the international scene.

"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," Sky Sports News quotes Gale as saying.

"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 has scored 955 runs during his Test career so far.