Moeen Ali will play as a specialist batsman in the second Test if his spinning finger has not recovered, Joe Root said before England's final practice on Friday.

Moeen had earned the right to bat at six as a "top-class batter" while Jonny Bairstow was at his best at number seven. "That's where you get the best out of him," Root said.

Root does not expect the umpires to step in and stop Australia's bowlers intimidating his tailenders.

Root is also confident Alastair Cook will bounce back after scoring only nine runs at the Gabba. "I'm pretty sure through this series he (Cook) will make massive contributions."

As for Ben Stokes and the confusion caused when he flew to New Zealand, Root advised equanimity for his players: "it's not to get too far one way or the other. We as players just knew we had to move on from it and prepare for this week."