Cricket

Will Jacks' scintillating 84 against Australia in the third ODI at Chester-le-Street has cemented his status as a rising star in English cricket. Despite having only four half-centuries in 31 international innings, Jacks' knock against a formidable Australian attack stands out as his most impressive performance to date.Arriving at the crease with England reeling at 11 for 2, Jacks forged a match-winning partnership of 156 with Harry Brook, guiding the hosts to a comfortable position before rain intervened. Jacks' innings was characterized by its rapid pace, reaching his half-century off just 55 balls and accelerating thereafter.Jacks' performance highlights the importance of regular 50-over cricket for England players. With the decline of bilateral ODI series and the relegation of the domestic One-Day Cup, opportunities to gain experience in the format are limited. Jacks acknowledges this challenge but welcomes the opportunity to learn on the job.Despite being part of England's white-ball setup for two years, Jacks has yet to fully establish himself as a regular. A hectic schedule and a series of injuries have hindered his progress. However, his recent performances for England and in various franchise leagues have demonstrated his immense talent.The ECB is expected to rectify the omission of Jacks from its central contract list in the next round of offers. His value has skyrocketed since last year, and his performances have shown that he is worth the investment.

In a thrilling encounter at Chester-le-Street, England's captain Harry Brook led his team to a 46-run victory against the world champions Australia, keeping their hopes alive in the five-match ODI series. Despite a shaky start, losing openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett to Mitchell Starc's bowling, England fought back through a remarkable 156-run partnership between Will Jacks (84) and Brook (110 not out) in a rain-hit chase after Australia put up an impressive 304 for 7 on the board.Rain interrupted play with England at 254 for 4 off 37.4 overs, but they were comfortably ahead of the required target under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, securing the victory and ending Australia's 14-match winning streak in ODIs.Earlier in the day, Alex Carey's unbeaten 77 and Steven Smith's 60 led the visitors' batting card. England paceman Jofra Archer claimed 2 for 67. Despite losing wickets at crucial moments, Australia's middle-order partnerships, particularly between Carey and Glenn Maxwell (30), and later with Aaron Hardie (44), helped them reach a challenging total.England's bowlers made early inroads, but Smith's half-century and Carey's aggressive batting kept Australia in the game. Cameron Green, who replaced the injured Travis Head, was dismissed for 42. In the following over, Australia's score of 131 for 3 quickly became 132 for 4 when Labuschagne fell for a duck, mistiming a paddle-sweep off spinner Jacks that was easily caught by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.Smith reached his half-century by pulling a short ball from Jacks for his fifth boundary, having faced 71 deliveries. However, he was dismissed when Brydon Carse made a spectacular diving catch on the boundary off a forceful pull shot from Archer.Carey, on the other hand, struck Carse through midwicket for one of his four boundaries in a 48-ball fifty that also included a straight six off Jacob Bethell.The series, now standing at 2-1 in Australia's favour, will continue at Lord's on Friday, with both teams eager to secure a victory in the remaining two matches.Initially in the home team's run-chase, their supporters might have been concerned when Salt clipped Starc's delivery straight to midwicket, and Duckett, attempting to play across the line, edged the left-arm fast bowler to backward point.However, Jacks and Brook managed to turn the game around against an Australian bowling attack that was missing their key leg-spinner, Adam Zampa, due to illness.Jacks, made a fourth fifty in 10 ODIs but missed out on a maiden century when he uppercut a bouncer from Cameron Green to backward point to end an 82-ball innings featuring nine fours and a six.Jamie Smith's hook shot off a Green found the deep square leg fielder, leaving England at 197 for 4 in the 32nd over.An edgy four to fine third-man brought up Brooks' maiden ODI century in his 18th match, scored off 87 deliveries with 12 fours and two sixes. His second fifty came off just 33 balls.

Nottinghamshire's valiant effort to chase down Surrey's mammoth first-innings total of 525 was thwarted by a career-best performance from spinner Will Jacks, who claimed seven wickets for 129 runs. Despite a maiden century from 19-year-old Freddie McCann, Nottinghamshire fell short by 133 runs, leaving Surrey on the cusp of victory.McCann's innings of 154 was a testament to his talent and resilience. Batting at number three, he faced 268 deliveries and held the Nottinghamshire innings together. However, Jacks's off-spin proved too much for him, as he was caught at long-on after a slog-sweep.Jack Haynes also contributed with a valuable 68, but the follow-on target of 376 proved too daunting for Nottinghamshire. Kyle Verreynne, the South African wicketkeeper, remained unbeaten on 50, but his efforts were in vain as Surrey's bowlers tightened their grip.Surrey's pursuit of a third successive championship title was put on hold due to bad light, but they need just 13 runs to secure victory. Dom Sibley was dismissed for 10, but Rory Burns and Hashim Amla remain at the crease.The match was marred by an incident in the afternoon when Jacks threw the ball at McCann in an inappropriate manner. Umpires immediately penalized Surrey five runs and referred the matter to the county for further disciplinary action.

Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in the Hundred final at Lord's, defeating Southern Brave by 17 runs. Saqib Mahmood's devastating spell of reverse-swing proved pivotal, as he claimed three wickets in seven balls to dismantle the Brave's chase.The Invincibles, boasting the Hundred's most prolific spin attack, had earlier posted a competitive 147 for 9. Will Jacks' blistering 37 off 22 balls set the tone, while Sam Curran and Jordan Cox contributed valuable runs. However, Akeal Hosein's three wickets and Tymal Mills' economical spell kept the Brave in the hunt.Southern Brave began their chase brightly, with Alex Davies scoring 35 off 23 balls. But Mahmood's introduction changed the game. He removed Leus du Plooy, Kieron Pollard, and Laurie Evans in quick succession, leaving the Brave reeling at 113 for 5.Despite Chris Jordan's valiant effort, the Brave fell short as Adam Zampa cleaned him up. The Invincibles' victory marked their second consecutive Hundred title, matching the achievement of their women's team in 2021-22.Mahmood's performance served as a timely reminder of his talent and could potentially earn him a recall to the England squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia. The Invincibles' success is a testament to their balanced team, built around all-rounders and a strong spin attack.

Surrey's Will Jacks propelled his team to a crucial 13-run victory over Essex in the Vitality Blast South Group, securing a home quarter-final berth. Jacks' scintillating 86, featuring five towering sixes, played a pivotal role in Surrey's triumph.After a steady start, Surrey's innings took a hit when Essex's spin duo of Matt Critchley and Simon Harmer claimed three wickets in quick succession. However, Jacks' counterattacking knock, including a record-breaking sixth-wicket partnership with Jordan Clark, revived Surrey's fortunes.Essex's chase began promisingly, with Adam Rossington and Michael Pepper putting on a rapid fifty. However, Cameron Steel's double strike and Chris Jordan's economical bowling put the brakes on Essex's momentum. Rossington's valiant 78 was ultimately in vain as Surrey's bowlers tightened their grip.Surrey's victory was built on a solid foundation laid by Jacks' explosive batting. His ability to clear the boundary with ease and accumulate runs quickly proved invaluable. The team's bowlers also played their part, with Jordan and Curran conceding only single-figure overs in the crucial final stages.Essex's hopes of reaching the knockout stages now hinge on a positive result in their final match against Hampshire. Surrey, on the other hand, can look forward to a home quarter-final with confidence, thanks to their impressive performance in the group stage.

Will Jacks, the rising star of English cricket, is eager to showcase the invaluable lessons he learned from batting alongside Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as England prepares to defend its T20 World Cup title.Jacks, who has played a pivotal role in England's recent warm-up victory over Pakistan, credits Kohli for providing him with crucial guidance during their partnership in the IPL. He believes that Kohli's unwavering intensity and attention to detail have left a lasting impression on him."He's a very good role model," Jacks said of Kohli. "The way he approaches all the training and every aspect of the game off the field, his intensity, everything he does is a 100 percent attention."Jacks particularly values the insights Kohli shared with him about pacing the game and maintaining focus during high-pressure chases. He believes that these lessons will be invaluable as England embarks on its World Cup campaign."When we were batting together, he was coaching me through there," Jacks revealed. "I learned some valuable things about chasing in that innings and pacing the game, which was really helpful."Despite his impressive performances in the IPL, Jacks remains humble about his England record. He acknowledges that his T20 average of 18.16 is a "mixed bag," but he is determined to improve his consistency and make a significant contribution to the team's success."I've been getting starts every game and it's about how do I change those into match-winning scores," Jacks said. "That's more of a mindset thing. It doesn't matter what I'm averaging: if the team's winning, then it's good."As England gears up for its World Cup opener against Scotland, Jacks is confident that the team is building in the right direction. He is excited to represent his country on the global stage and believes that the lessons he has learned from Kohli and other experienced players will help him make a positive impact.

Will Jacks, the rising star of English cricket, is eager to put the valuable lessons he learned from batting alongside Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to good use when England defends its T20 World Cup title next month.Jacks, who has played in two Tests, seven ODIs, and 12 T20Is for England, made a significant impact in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He struck a blistering century off just 41 balls against Gujarat Titans, showcasing his power-hitting abilities.During his time with RCB, Jacks had the privilege of batting alongside Kohli, one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He described Kohli as a "very good role model" who taught him valuable lessons about training, intensity, and the importance of maintaining focus."He's done it for such a long time and I can appreciate that as a young guy who often doesn't want to do the hard yards, but you see him doing it and want to copy that," Jacks said.Jacks also highlighted the importance of "pacing the game" and staying in partnerships, lessons he learned from Kohli during their time together at the crease."When we were batting together, he was coaching me through there. I learned some valuable things about chasing in that innings and pacing the game, which was really helpful," Jacks said.Now, Jacks is looking forward to applying these lessons in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He is excited to play in a major global tournament and believes that England is building in the right direction."Playing in a World Cup is something I've dreamed of since I was a little kid. I'm really excited to do it," he said. "It's getting closer now and we're building in the right direction."Jacks acknowledged that his T20 record for England is a "mixed bag," but he is determined to improve his consistency and become a match-winner."I've been getting starts every game and it's about how do I change those into match-winning scores. That's more of a mindset thing. It doesn't matter what I'm averaging: if the team's winning, then it's good," Jacks said.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed the triumph of Kolkata Knight Riders for the third time, as they outplayed Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets. Amidst the tournament's excitement, several young cricketers emerged as standout performers, showcasing their exceptional skills and potential.Jake Fraser-McGurk:The Australian opener, playing for Delhi Capitals, impressed with his fearless batting in his debut IPL season. Despite being a late addition to the team, Fraser-McGurk amassed 330 runs at a remarkable strike rate of over 234 in nine games. His performances earned him a spot as a traveling reserve for Australia's T20 World Cup squad.Abhishek Sharma:The 23-year-old left-hander played a pivotal role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's run to the final. In 16 games, he scored 484 runs with a strike rate of over 200, forming a formidable opening partnership with Travis Head. Abhishek's contributions extended to his left-arm spin, as he claimed two wickets against Rajasthan Royals to help Hyderabad reach their third IPL final.Will Jacks:The English all-rounder earned a place in England's World Cup squad on the back of his impressive performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Jacks showcased his devastating batting skills, scoring a century off just 41 balls against Gujarat Titans. His partnership with Virat Kohli, where he surpassed the former captain's score, was a testament to his talent.Tristan Stubbs:The South African finisher emerged as a key player for Delhi Capitals, despite the team's disappointing sixth-place finish. Stubbs recorded the highest ever IPL strike rate for at least 100 runs in the final overs, with a staggering 297.33. His unbeaten 25-ball 57 against Lucknow Super Giants showcased his ability to close out games.Matheesha Pathirana:Known as "Baby Malinga" for his slinging action, the 21-year-old fast bowler impressed for Chennai Super Kings. Pathirana claimed 13 wickets in six games before a hamstring injury cut short his IPL campaign. His ability to choke runs in the final overs drew comparisons to the legendary Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga.These young cricketers have demonstrated their immense potential and are poised to make a significant impact on the upcoming T20 World Cup. Their performances in the IPL have not only earned them recognition but also paved the way for them to represent their countries on the global stage.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) will face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Saturday, with both teams vying for a victory to enhance their playoff chances. The encounter holds significance as RCB had previously defeated GT in a one-sided affair last weekend, with Virat Kohli and Will Jacks playing pivotal roles.Kohli, who has faced scrutiny for his strike rate, showcased his prowess with an unbeaten 70 off 44 balls in the previous match. However, it was Jacks who stole the limelight with an astonishing unbeaten 100 off just 41 balls, reaching his first 50 in 31 balls and then requiring only 10 more to reach triple figures.Ahead of the return leg against GT, Kohli and several RCB players attended an event. A video of Kohli dancing while entering the room has gone viral on social media, capturing the attention of fans. In the video, Kohli is seen dancing with RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, who provides him with a shoulder massage.Kohli has been in exceptional form in the ongoing IPL, currently ranking as the second-highest run-getter with 500 runs in 10 matches. He trails CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad by a mere nine runs in the Orange Cap race. Kohli's performance in the remaining matches will be crucial not only for RCB but also for Team India, as he has been selected in the 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has addressed the ongoing debate surrounding Kohli's strike rate, stating that the team is not concerned and that there is a difference between IPL and international cricket. Agarkar emphasized the importance of experience and the team's overall balance and power.There has been speculation about whether Kohli should open the batting during the T20 World Cup. India captain Rohit Sharma has neither confirmed nor denied this possibility, stating that all options are open and the decision will be made based on conditions in the West Indies.