If baby-faced England batsman Joe Root has faced faster bowling in his 12-Test career than Mitchell Johnson’s thunderbolts at the Gabba, he can’t recall it.

Root, who is a contender to be promoted to the vital first-drop role for Thursday’s second Test in Adelaide, says he’s putting faith in his ability to prepare as best as possible for another barrage from the left-arm quick.

And that barrage will include short balls whizzing around his ears and the odd verbal spray.

“It was probably close to it, yeah,” Root said on Sunday when asked if Johnson’s 150 km/h offerings were the quickest he’d come across.

“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.”

The departure of No.3 batsman Jonathan Trott with a stress-related illness leaves No.6 Root and No.5 Ian Bell as possible first-drop players for England in Adelaide, with uncapped pair Gary Ballance and allrounder Ben Stokes pushing for the vacancy in the top six.

“It doesn’t really matter to me,” Root said.

“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.

“I’ll just be making sure I prepare well over the next couple of days and go into that Test match, whether it be three or five, I’m comfortable and confident and ready to go regardless of the situation.”

Root scored two in England’s 136 all out in their first innings in Brisbane and was unbeaten on 26 in the second dig as the tourists crashed to a total of 179 in a 381-run defeat.

His verbal clashes with the fired-up Johnson formed part of the theatre of the event and Root is expecting more of the same.

“It’s all part of the game,” the former opener said.

“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.”