Will Jacks Finds Clarity in New Role at No. 7 for England

Will Jacks has embraced a new chapter in his England career. After earlier struggles, he now bats at No. 7 and bowls offspin. This new role suits him, and his recent performances against West Indies prove that.

Jacks said, “I think the situation just required me to build a partnership. That’s all I looked to do really – try and build a score, taking as limited risks as possible, and that ended up just being ones and twos. When a boundary was required, he [Root] did that with ease, like he does.”

Calm and Steady in Cardiff

In the second ODI at Cardiff, Jacks scored a measured 49 off 58 balls. He struck only two boundaries but kept rotating the strike. He supported Joe Root, who made an unbeaten 166. Their 143-run stand helped England chase down 309 and win the series.

Jacks praised Root’s knock: “He played beautifully and made it very easy for me.”

He also mentioned a light moment during their partnership: “I did actually mention that to him at one stage,” referring to the role-reversal where Jacks rotated strike for Root instead of the other way around.

Jacks also contributed with the ball. He dismissed centurion Keacy Carty, breaking a dangerous stand.

Trust from Brook, Growth from IPL

Harry Brook, now England’s white-ball captain, trusted Jacks with this role. The pair go back to their Under-19 days. Jacks said, “I’ve known Harry for a very long time. We played Under-19s cricket together almost a decade ago. When he mentioned this role to me, it came quite comfortably, and easy.”

At the IPL, Jacks faced frequent changes in his batting order. “At the IPL just now, I was carded at No.3 and a couple of times I ended up having to go down No.6 and 7. That’s just limited-overs cricket, you have to be ready for anything,” he explained.

He added, “We practice that and I think it’s just about clarity of mind. Very rarely in 50-over cricket am I going to have to go out there and try and hit my first few balls for six. You always have more time than you think, it’s just about adjusting to that with clarity.”

Fresh Start After Setbacks

Jacks missed out on England’s 2023 central contracts and wasn’t selected for the Champions Trophy. Still, he stayed positive and returned stronger.

“I do,” Jacks said when asked if this felt like a fresh start. “I’ve come into it with a really fresh mindset, which has helped. Having that break… obviously I’d have loved to play every game, but that’s life. And I think it’s allowed me to reset.”

He admitted he tried too hard earlier: “I think my first time in the team I was just loving playing for England, and probably not performing how I wanted. I was ‘over-trying’ to get the results I wanted, whereas now I feel comfortable in myself, in the role and I think that’s really helped.”

With this clarity and confidence, Will Jacks is ready to be a key part of England’s white-ball future.

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