Yorkshire star Joe Root confident England can take down South Africa
JOE ROOT believes England are capable of taking down South Africa in their own backyard after smashing a century during the final warm-up game before Saturday's Boxing Day Test in Durban.
Joe Root (left) led the way for England in South Africa
England's task in the upcoming four-match series is a daunting one, attempting to beat the world's No 1 Test team away from home.
But confidence is high after both Root and captain Alastair Cook scored hundreds on day two of the final tour game against South Africa A in Pietermaritzburg.
England's cricketers gear up to face world's best
And Root believes England can follow up last summer's surprise Ashes win against Australia with another big scalp.
"It's a huge challenge playing the No 1 side in the world in their conditions," he said.
"We're going to have to play really well but we have done really special things in the summer, against a good pace attack, and hopefully that's something we can take confidence from and take forward."