England’s Will Jacks was hospitalised upon flying to Edinburgh and underwent an appendectomy the following day. He was left with three small abdominal scars and had just four weeks to recover and regain fitness ahead of England’s late-summer white-ball fixtures against Sri Lanka.
The recovery required a gradual return to off-spin bowling. Jacks acknowledged the physical and mental challenges of rebuilding his strength after surgery, particularly when preparing to bowl at international level.
“It was completely random and quite scary. I was really lucky to be looked after really well by the NHS. You are just at the beck and call of the surgery of how well it goes. You don’t know the recovery until after you wake up. I was just fingers crossed going in and luckily they were able to do a slight incision and not have to rip me open completely. It was more of a confidence thing. I have lost a lot of my core strength,” said Jacks as quoted by The Independent.
Jacks returned for the Lions earlier this month, while remaining glad the T20 series preceded the ODIs. Nevertheless, he proved his value to the side by scoring an undefeated 46 in the opening ODI at the Banks Homes Riverside before taking five for 22 to help England secure an 89-run win on Tuesday. His bowling figures represented the second best by an England spinner in an ODI.
Jacks 5 for 22 fires England to 89-run win vs Sri Lanka
Jacks’ performance and role under Brook’s captaincy
Under Harry Brook’s captaincy, Jacks has been transitioned down the order and fulfilled more of an all-round brief. He was appointed vice-captain for Sri Lanka’s white-ball visit. Regarding his bowling preparation, Jacks explained the staged approach to his recovery.
“If I am honest, I only bowled five days before the first T20 because I was building up my strength and trying to get some fitness back. Batting was easier to do first and we left bowling to the last thing. My role in the team is something I am comfortable with. I know how I am viewed by my captain and the other players. It is a luxury to know, say when we go to Headingley (for the second ODI), that I will be in the team. You can’t take that for granted and appreciate the hard work you have done to get there,” said Jacks.
What comes next for Jacks after the Sri Lanka tour
With fewer than 48 hours between the first two ODIs, England could rotate their seamers for Headingley, where Sonny Baker is waiting in reserve and Henry Crocombe is bidding for an international debut. Jacks was keen to complete the summer strongly. He had committed to playing in the SA20 in January and February, which could potentially conflict with England’s Test tour of Bangladesh. Unused by the Test team this summer following four appearances during last winter’s Ashes, his improving off-spin could appeal to new Test head coach Stephen Fleming, particularly in Asian conditions.
“I don’t know about what would happen or if even they would want me. We will finish the summer before getting into the winter,” said Jacks.
