Fast bowler Jofra Archer was recently selected for England’s provisional squad for the upcoming 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to run from June 1 until 29. 

England are currently the third odds-on favourite to win the competition outright, behind Australia, the second odds-on favourite, and India, the odds-on favourites, meaning England have a good chance of winning. 

With their 29-year-old secret weapon, Archer, they could very well come out on top this year. 

Here is a closer look at why Jofra Archer’s return from injury and inclusion in the squad is a massive boost for the England national cricket team. 

Who is Jofra Archer?

Jofra Archer is a 29-year-old men’s professional cricketer who was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, in April 1995 but holds British citizenship through his father. 

The right-handed batter and right-arm fast bowler has played on and off for the England men’s national side since making his debut against Australia in August 2019. Throughout his career, he has achieved the following statistics:

• Played: 13 Test Cricket matches. Balls bowled: 2,609. Bowling average: 31.04. Best bowling: 6/45
• Played: 21 One Day Internationals (ODIs). Balls bowled: 1,139. Bowling average: 21.73. Best bowling: 6/40
• Played: 16 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Balls bowled: 372. Bowling average: 24.66. Best bowling: 4/33
• Played: 43 First-Class cricket matches. Balls bowled: 8,856. Bowling average: 24.91. Best bowling: 7/67

In 2019, he was part of the team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup, and at the domestic level, he has played for Sussex (2016-present), the Khulna Titans (2017), the Hobart Hurricanes (2017/8, and 2018/19), the Rajasthan Royals (2018 – 2021), MI Cape Town (2022/23), and the Mumbai Indians (2023). 

Injuries throughout his career have plagued Archer, significantly reducing the number of games he should have played for club and country. His major recurring injury is ongoing issues with his right elbow, for which he has undergone two operations. 

He’s now back from his latest issue and will be looking to help take England all the way. The other two England bowlers England can choose from should Archer’s injury return during the world cup are Reece Topley and Mark Wood. 

However, these two are also prone to recurring injuries. 

If all three can stay in top shape and have a bit of luck on their side, there’s a good chance that England will win. Most experts and fans agree that Archer’s inclusion will strengthen the squad as he is a multi-phase bowler. 

Some of his talents include his ability to catch the batters off guard by bowling yorkers, and he can quickly adjust to bowling fast with the new ball, delivering lightning-fast bowls during an innings for just one or two overs if required. 

Can England win the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup if Jofra Archer can remain injury-free?

The quickest, easiest, and most accurate way to find out if England can win the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held for the first time at venues across the United States and the West Indies, would be to check ENG vs IND match odds on India’s most trusted online bookmaker. 

The official 10cricbet site is known for having some of the iGaming industry’s most competitive cricket betting odds, and the betting markets for the upcoming world cup are already open. You will also soon be able to place live bets (aka in-play bets) as the tournament matches unfold. 

Here are the latest odds for the top five favourites. These odds are displayed in all three formats (decimal, fractional, and American/moneyline odds), along with the IPR (implied probability rate) of each team winning the tournament outright:

• Betting market: To win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 outright. Team: India (odds-on favourites). Decimal odds: 3.60. Fractional odds: 13/5. American/moneyline odds: +260. Implied probability rate (IPR): 27.80%
• Betting market: To win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 outright. Team: Australia (second odds-on favourites). Decimal odds: 4.25. Fractional odds: 13/4. American/moneyline odds: +325. IPR: 23.50%
• Betting market: To win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 outright. Team: England (third odds-on favourites). Decimal odds: 6.50. Fractional odds: 11/2. American/moneyline odds: +550. IPR: 15.40%
• Betting market: To win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 outright. Team: South Africa (fourth odds-on favourites). Decimal odds: 7.00. Fractional odds: 6/1. American/moneyline odds: +600. IPR: 14.30%

In other words, it’s looking fairly close between the top three favourites. Twenty teams are competing, and the two least favourites to win this year are Canada and Uganda. 

Also competing are the United States, the West Indies, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Scotland, Namibia, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. 

When does the tournament start?

The opening game of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup will be on Sunday, June 2, when host nation the United States play Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. 

The second game of the tournament is the following day, June 3, when the joint-host nation (the West Indies) play Papua New Guinea at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. 

England’s first game is against Scotland on Wednesday, June 5, at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. England and Scotland are both in Group B with Australia, Namibia, and Oman. 

Final thoughts

England may have Jofra Archer as their secret weapon, but he won’t be the tournament’s only secret weapon. For example, India has Virat Kohli. Pakistan has Babar Azam. Afghanistan have Rashid Khan, and the West Indies have Andre Russell. 

There’s also Adam Zampa for Australia, Finn Allen for New Zealand, Wanindu Hasaranga for Sri Lanka, Gerald Coetzee for South Africa, and Shakib Al Hasan. 

That’s not forgetting several other key players who will also be worth keeping an eye on throughout the tournament, such as Jos Butler (England), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan), and Jasprit Bumrah (India). 

If you decide to place a wager on the upcoming world cup, only do so on fully licensed and regulated Indian online sports betting sites like 10cricbet. To ensure you don’t exceed your initial budget, start by setting a reasonable one before depositing. 

This trusted Indian iGaming site can be accessed from most Wi-Fi/internet-connected deposit computers and mobile devices (e.g., laptops, PCs, smartphones and tablets), provided you are 18 or above.

Of all the football teams active today, it is clear that Manchester City is one of the most prominent ones. In fact, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, the team has cemented themselves in football history thanks to their direction and evidence of constant evolution. In this context, let’s explore if Manchester City is the most dominant team ever.

Firstly, Manchester City have had tremendous success recently as they have become the first team in 135 years of English football history to achieve certain glory. More specifically, they were crowned champions of England for the fourth consecutive season on Sunday following a 3-1 win over West Ham United.

Man City had to secure a win in their final match against West Ham to secure the title by two points ahead of Arsenal. It was a feat they achieved for the third time under Guardiola’s management, with Liverpool having previously pushed them to the wire in their previous two championship campaigns.

This marks one of the most notable achievements for Pep Guardiola. Their recent premier league title win means that they could win more silverware with the upcoming FA Cup final taking place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Spectators will witness Manchester Derby and Manchester City battling it out with Manchester United. This makes them an easy team to bet on as they show so much potential.

Furthermore, in terms of how Manchester City compares with other great teams in English football history, Man City have had an era of dominance. In the 1990s, Manchester United was hailed as an outstanding team led by Sir Alex Ferguson. They managed to snag six Premier League titles in eight seasons between the years of 1993 and 2001.

Manchester City’s recent dominance has significantly narrowed the gap between them and their arch-rivals, Manchester United, with City’s 35 trophies now just a mere 32 shy of United’s 67. This made them a notable team to beat for Man City. Manchester United, are the only English team to have achieved the Treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. Manchester United, repeated this feat in 2000 and 2001, claiming the title in those seasons as well.

Of course, it is also worth noting that Man City’s seven-year brilliance comes from constant evolution. Pep Guardiola has secured six of the last seven Premier League titles, thanks to constant innovation and rebuilding which has been his secret to staying at the top of English football. Their persistent dedication and drive for perfection have redefined the standard.

During this time, Bill Shankly’s Liverpool have went through at least one big overall while Arsenal have reassessed their tactics several times. Meanwhile, Chelsea has went through a lot of change, which makes Man City’s transformations look subtle in comparison. Arsenal have also defeated Manchester City in league competition on 87 occasions, which represents the most Manchester City have lost against any club. Still, the competition has been good for Mac City as they constantly strive towards getter better.

However, the changes implemented by Man City have been subtle from the departure of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling to the emergence of Ilkay Gundogan as a key player, and ultimately, the evolution into a four-centre-back system. Over the past eight years, Manchester City has experienced a remarkable continuity, with the team’s success unfolding so smoothly that it can be argued that this period has been a singular, unbroken era. Since a change in ownership in 2007, they have dominated English football and posed a threat to other teams they compete against.

In addition, Man City have been propelled to new heights because of their key players. For example, Phil Foden’s exceptional skills have been crucial for City’s success. His ability to score and create opportunities has driven the team forward. Meanwhile, Rodri’s role in midfield provides stability and control. His precise long-range shots have frequently been decisive in important games. The Brazilian goalkeeper Edeson’s impact is also immense. His excellent shot-stopping and distribution have been key to City’s achievements. These players have made Man City to constantly strive towards success.

Moreover, Man City have had some notable achievements which have only contributed to their success. Excluding their first season, Manchester City has consistently achieved an average of 91.1 points, 96.4 goals scored, and 30 goals conceded per season in the Premier League. They have also won an impressive 17 trophies, including notable achievements such as the Treble in 2023, a domestic Treble in 2019, and a Double in 2023.

Overall, it appears the Manchester City are in a league of their own when it comes to their achievements in the field of football. From their recent success with their consecutive victory to their history of notable achievements, we can expect great things from this team in the future.

The UEFA Champions League is the biggest club tournament in Europe, featuring the best teams from European leagues. With the league expanding from 32 to 36 teams in the coming season, four new spots opened up. England is one of the teams that many thought could get an extra spot in the tournament. 

Currently, the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga, and France’s Ligue 1 contribute four team each. However, with both Manchester City and Arsenal knocked out at the quarter finals of the current championship, and Liverpool and West Ham suffering the same fate in the Europe League, England might miss out on the opportunity to get one more team in the coming UEFA Champions League season. Here’s more:

UEFA Expanding to 36 Teams

The Champions League will feature 36 teams instead of the previous 32. This expansion marks the league’s biggest change and is set to transform the traditional format featuring group stages into a single league phase with all participants. Every team in the new format will be guaranteed eight matches against eight opponents. Four games will be at home and the other four on away grounds. 

In the current setup, teams play six matches against three opponents (three at home and three away), with two matches against each opponent. The two top teams from each group qualify to the knockout rounds. In the new format, eight of the best outfits will get automatic qualification for the knockout stages. Teams that finish ninth to 24^th will then battle each other in a two-legged playoff, where eight more teams will emerge to join the last 16 knockouts. Teams that finish in the 25^th to 36^th position will be eliminated from the tournament.

The new format presents a new challenge for teams and more excitement for fans and punters. With more games, punters can expect more betting opportunities on leading sportsbooks, such as FanDuel sportsbook. For instance, gamers will be able to place futures for who might qualify for the knockout automatically, make it to the playoffs, and qualify for knockouts through the playoffs. Gameday markets and props will also be available, in addition to new betting bonuses.

How European Places are Decided

Qualifications for the Champions League will maintain the traditional format, albeit with a few changes. The top European leagues (England, Spain, Germany, and Italy) will still contribute four teams each. In England, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa occupy the positions for automatic qualification without any playoffs needed. 

The fifth position, currently occupied by Tottenham, will qualify for the Europa League group stage. The sixth position, currently occupied by Manchester United, also qualifies for the Europa League. However, this position is sometimes available to the team that wins the FA Cup. As things stand, the final for the FA Cup will be between Manchester United and Manchester City. If Newcastle overtakes Manchester United for the sixth position, and United win the FA Cup, Newcastle will lose their Europa League spot. 

The seventh position usually qualifies for the UEFA Conference League or the team that won the Carabao Cup. Since Liverpool (Carabao Cup winners) is in line to get automatic Champions League positions, the spot will be given to either Newcastle or United, depending on the final league positions and the results of the FA Cup finals. 

Can England Get the Extra Champions League Spot?

Everything is decided by the coefficient rankings, which relate to how team perform in the current UEFA competitions (Champions League, Europa League and Conference League). A win for each team is worth two points, while a draw is worth 1 point. Bonus points are also given based on the stages teams reach in the tournaments. Currently, Italy have secured an extra spot and Germany are second. 

England needs Aston Villa to win the Conference League and the two German teams in Champions league to lose their matches to overtake them on the table. Only two teams with the highest coefficient rankings get extra spots. Changes are also happening in the Europa League and UEFA Conference League. The Europa League will feature 36 teams instead of 32 and use the same format as the Champions League. Meanwhile, the Conference League will have teams playing six matches against six different opponents. 

Key Takeaways on EPL’s Chances of Gaining the Extra Spot

England sits third in the coefficient rankings table behind Germany and Italy. With Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham all eliminated from the UEFA competitions, there’s little chance the table will shift.

The two German teams Bayern and Dortmund only need a win and a draw to secure their second spot and get five teams to next year’s champion’s league. England also needs Aston Villa to win the Conference League even if the German’s don’t perform.