Will Jacks emerged as the toast of Pallekele, firing England to a commanding Super 8 opener victory against Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2026. His 3/22 in four tight overs, plus a punchy 21 off 14, clinched Player of the Match accolades.
‘I’m a big fan of grabbing the bowling responsibility—it pushes me to excel,’ Jacks shared, his enthusiasm palpable. England were pleased with 145 after batting first, but it was their bowling, ignited by Archer’s powerplay fire, that stole the show.
Pitch knowledge from a prior series proved golden. ‘This surface spins sharply when you hit it hard—we exploited that fully,’ Jacks analyzed. His spell dismantled key batsmen, maintaining a stranglehold.
While admitting group-stage rust, Jacks stressed the win’s significance. ‘Thrilled doesn’t cover it. We took wickets at vital junctures to defend successfully.’ Jacks’ versatility—bat, ball, and tactical nous—marks him as England’s Super 8 sparkplug.
Looking ahead, this performance injects belief, positioning the Three Lions to challenge for the title with Jacks leading the charge.