Root has confidence in ‘level-headed’ Jennings to adapt to the demands of Test cricket

England captain Joe Root has said Keaton Jennings’s calm approach will stand him in good stead as he battles to come through a tricky period in his fledgling Test career.

The opener made a hundred on his England debut against India at Mumbai in December, but has just one half-century in nine Test innings since.

Jennings, 25, has found life particularly tough during the ongoing Test series at home to his native South Africa, with two naughts in six innings.

But he heads into Friday’s fourth Test at Old Trafford having made a morale-boosting 48 in difficult conditions during the second innings of England’s 239-run win over South Africa at The Oval that left the hosts 2-1 up with one to play.

It was a timely knock with Jennings under pressure for his place ahead of England’s Ashes tour of Australia.

“He’s a very level-headed guy. He’s got a very strong character and throughout he’s been very much the same in the way he’s approached his training and in each game as well,” Root said of Jennings at Old Trafford yesterday. “It’s great to see someone so light of experience be very mature and go about it in the right way.

“The way he played in that second innings was extremely great to see, I’m pleased that he’s been able to get a score and hopefully that’ll lead into some more runs this week.”

Johannesburg-born and raised Jennings is averaging just over 15 against the Proteas, with his technique coming under severe analysis.

“It’s tough, and that’s why it’s called Test cricket, it can be a very hard thing to break into,” Root said. “It is a test of character, it’s a test of skill.”

Part of that test this series has been facing bowlers of the calibre of Vernon Philander, whom the Proteas hope will be fully fit after he was laid low with a stomach illness at The Oval.

“He’s a world-class bowler and puts the ball in good areas,” Root said of Philander.

“Throughout this series there have been surfaces that have been more bowler-friendly and he obviously poses a big threat to us and we don’t take him lightly. We will make sure we do our homework on him if you like and we are fully prepared for all the challenges the whole attack brings.

“I think it’s wrong to single out individuals.

“You know, on any given day, any one of those guys can put in good performances.”