Will Jacks, the rising star of English cricket, has made a remarkable impact on the international stage in recent months. His stunning performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his Test debut against Pakistan have showcased his exceptional talent and versatility.
In the IPL, Jacks played a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s remarkable comeback. After winning just one of their first eight games, the RCB men rallied to win six on the trot to qualify for the playoffs. Jacks’ stunning 41-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans was a masterclass of T20 batting.
Jacks’ Test debut was equally impressive. He was told he was in the team just two minutes before the toss at Rawalpindi. Despite the short notice, he took six wickets with his off-spin, helping England secure a remarkable victory on a flat pitch.
In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Jacks shared his thoughts on his recent performances and the upcoming white-ball series against Australia.
“I am excited about the series against Australia,” said Jacks. “I have had a small taste of ODI cricket for England and I am enjoying the format. It’s a nice mix of T20 and Test cricket.”
Jacks believes that bilateral series are important, despite criticism from some quarters. “Any time you play for your country, it’s an important series,” he said. “And England against Australia is the oldest rivalry in cricket.”
Jacks is particularly excited about the arrival of Brendon McCullum as England’s white-ball coach. “It’s really exciting,” he said. “I have had a little bit of experience with Baz, having done two Test tours. The amount of positivity and energy he brings to the group is second to none.”
Jacks credits McCullum with changing the mindset of English cricket. “It’s the positivity,” he said. “It’s wanting to take the game on at all stages, put everyone under pressure, instead of never taking a backward step. That’s a good mindset to have right through the whole English cricket system.”
Jacks also spoke about his admiration for Kevin Pietersen and A.B. de Villiers, two of his cricketing idols. “Kevin Pietersen was my hero growing up,” he said. “He was at the forefront of the 2005 Ashes series and I remember his knock at the Oval on the final day. From that moment on, he was my hero.”
“A.B. de Villiers is as good as it gets across all formats,” Jacks added. “Every time he was on the TV, I made sure I was there watching.”
Jacks is confident that England can continue their recent success under McCullum. “We have a lot of talent in the team,” he said. “We just need to keep working hard and keep believing in ourselves.”
