Joe Root backs ‘brilliant leader’ Jos Buttler as England face crucial game

Make-or-break match looms against Afghanistan
Brydon Carse ruled out of tournament with injury

Joe Root has stressed Jos Buttler’s white-ball setup is in better shape than the Test side that buckled towards the back end of his own captaincy, as England attempt to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive in their controversial match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Battling to reach the semi-finals after the record-breaking five-wicket defeat by Australia over the weekend, England have endured a further blow with news that the fast bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of the tournament with the recurrence of a toe injury.

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