T20 World Cup 2024 | "Archer brings excitement and an X-factor to the team": Wood

Jofra Archer (Pic: Fiile Pic)

England's pacer Mark Wood said lead pacer Jofra Archer is an X-Factor for the national team in the T20 World Cup 2024 which is jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies. The "Three Lions" will begin their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Scotland on June 4. Jos Buttler has been appointed as England's captain for the ongoing mega event.

Jofra Archer who was out of action due to injury made a return to international cricket during the T20I series against Pakistan, last month. In the concluded series, Archer was the fourth-highest wicket-taker. He bagged three wickets in two matches with an average of 19.67. Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, the Englishmen will heavily rely on Archer to claim wickets at crucial times.

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"That sort of cool customer. Archer brings excitement and an X-factor to the team. The world has missed Jos. He bowls plenty of fire on the field. I can't wait to bowl along with him," Mark Wood said.

The last international appearance of Jofra Archer before the Pakistan series was in May 2023. Later, he didn't play any game for England following his elbow injury that made him sit out for 12 months.

The path back hasn't been easy for Archer - since 2021, he has encountered multiple obstacles, including stress fractures, persistent elbow problems and even surgery due to a freak fish tank accident.

In the T20 World Cup 2024, England has been placed in Group B against arch-rivals Australia, Scotland, Namibia and Oman.

England squad for the T20 World Cup 2024: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.

(With ANI Inputs)