England v South Africa: Joe Root ends dispute

England fell flat at Trent Bridge last week when they were trounced by 340 runs, in Root's second match as captain - attracting strong and high-profile criticism, including from Vaughan, who accused them of failing to "respect" Test cricket.

The Investec series is therefore level at 1-1 with two to play going into this famous venue's 100th Test, and Root is well aware England need to raise their game.

England are favourites nevertheless with Sky Bet at 11/10, with South Africa 7/4 and the draw 100/30.

They will be doing so with at least two debutants, and possibly a third, after Root confirmed Toby Roland-Jones is set to replace the injured Mark Wood, Tom Westley previously announced at number three following Gary Ballance's broken finger and Dawid Malan in the wings too if England opt for an extra batsman over a second spinner.

As for Vaughan, Root has made clear there are no hard feelings between himself and the former England captain and fellow ex-Sheffield Collegiate graduate.

When first told of Vaughan's critique at the captain's post-match press conference in Nottingham, Root was aghast at the remarks and described them as "unfair".

On the eve of the third Test, nine days later, he told the BBC: "It's his job to be opinionated and give his view on what he sees.

"No one agrees on everything all the time. I understand that, and I'm sure he understands that as well."

Root fully expects England will prove to one and all this week how much pride they take in their own standards.

"The guys do really care - they are desperate to win and perform well in an England shirt," he said.

"They don't want to let anyone down. It's a great opportunity this week for us to show what it means to play for England."

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Root is not seeking to dodge fair criticism either of the performance which consigned England to their seventh defeat in their last 10 Tests.

"We obviously weren't good enough - there's no point hiding behind it or making excuses - but the most important thing is the attitude we show this week to bounce back strong.

"Effort has never been an issue with the guys - it's just making sure we recognise the key periods and we grab them and take the game forward.

"We know how much talent and ability is in the dressing room. We need to read those situations quicker, adapt - and when we do get a chance, take it.

"It's important that we, as a side, remain true to each other."

However many debutants are needed at the Oval, Root insists they will enter a cohesive environment.

He said: "We've a settled dressing-room that is desperate to get better, and knows we're a better side than we showed last week.

"All the lads have gone away and had a think themselves, and everyone seems very focused about how they want to go about this week - which is really important."

England do not appear to know yet whether to give Malan the nod for his maiden Test, and field three debutants for the first time since 2014, or stick with Liam Dawson to bat at number eight and provide an extra spin option.

"It's important to look at the surface and decide what's going to be the best side to play South Africa in those conditions," added Root.

"So we'll turn up tomorrow, take a look at the wicket and make a decision."

One man who will not be involved is Wood, whose heel niggle which affected his pace at Trent Bridge has resurfaced despite favourable scans between Tests.

Root confirmed the fast bowler's absence and spelled out why Roland-Jones can be an effective deputy.

"Woody is not 100 per cent fit, so he's going to miss out this week and Toby is going to come in and make his debut," he said.

"Toby has looked really good in the lead-up to the other games.

"He's had a fine couple of years ... he's been banging the door down.

"I'm really excited for him and I'm sure he'll be desperate to show everyone what he can do with a red ball for England."

Vaughan later stood by his comments - but insists they stem from his passion to see England succeed.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Tuffers and Vaughan show, he said: "They had to take a lot of criticism and rightly so, but they could quite easily turn it around this week.

"It has been the story of the Test team for two-and-a-half years...they don't seem to be able to read the situation - they have this gung-ho approach.

"Jonny Bairstow came out at number five batting on roller-blades, trying to smash everything to the boundary. I don't think they respected the way Test cricket needed to be played.

"For such a long period of time they have played as if the only way to approach it is to hit the ball to the boundary...you have to be able to wear the opposition down.

"My job is to give my opinion; I'm passionate about the England team and I get frustrated when I see a team with so much talent. I don't think they've got the make-up of the side right.

"The batting has been a weakness for a while now. The talent is there and there is all the potential to be a brilliant team, but you don't become a brilliant team without the brains and being smart.

"You've got to have a group of players that are very smart in the middle and one week they play smart cricket and the next they don't. They should be more consistent than they have been over the last year or so."

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