CHESTER-LE-STREET: Will Jacks took a career-best 5-22 and struck an unbeaten 46 as England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs in the first ODI on Tuesday.
Jacks completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Dilshan Madushanka at Riverside Ground. His all-round display also underlined his growing role in England’s middle order.
England previously used Jacks mainly in the top three after his ODI debut in 2023. However, the team has since moved him to No. 6 or 7 and given him a bigger bowling role.
The change has coincided with improved numbers. Jacks averaged 31.20 with the bat and 45.00 with the ball across his first 15 ODIs.
In his latest 12 matches lower down the order, his batting average has risen to 42.83 while his bowling average has fallen to 34.60.
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England captain Harry Brook praised Jacks after the victory. Brook told Sky Sports that the 27-year-old had adapted well to his middle-order position and contributed strongly with the ball.
Jacks said flexibility remained central to his approach. He added that batting on the surface helped him judge how he could contribute when Brook later brought him into the attack.
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His experience in South Africa’s SA20 could also prove useful as England prepares for the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
England and Sri Lanka will play the second match of the three-game ODI series in Leeds on Thursday.
