Bleeding runs in the death overs and failing to offer adequate support to Joe Root cost England dearly, captain Jos Buttler said after their elimination from the Champions Trophy following an eight-run loss to Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Jamie Smith will bat at No. 3 for the first time in his ODI career and keep wicket for England in their Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore on Saturday. Joe Root has been England's first-choice No.

Joe Root hits a century off 98 balls as England try and chase 326 to beat Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy.

Joe Root has thrown his support behind white-ball captain Jos Buttler despite England's shaky start to the Champions Trophy, describing him as a "brilliant leader" who has the support of the entire dressing room.

Available to UK users only.

Joe Root scoops the ball "perfectly" for six as England face Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy. READ MORE: England need 48 off 30 balls to avoid Champions Trophy exit. Available

Afghanistan face England in the Champions in Lahore - follow live cricket scores, text updates, in-play video clips and radio commentary

Australia face England in the Champions in Lahore - follow live cricket scores, text updates, in-play video clips and radio commentary

Batter Joe Root backs "brilliant leader" Jos Buttler and says the England captain is making a better fist of the job than he did at times during his tenure as Test skipper.

England's Joe Root bats during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Afghanistan and England, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Sunil Gavaskar’s anecdote about the time Sir Viv Richards sledged him on the field is quite familiar to most cricket fans. But, a quick refresher: The only time in his career that Gavaskar batted at No 4 in a Test – in 1983 against West Indies in Chennai – India lost two wickets in the first over bowled by Malcolm Marshall.