Surrey star Will Jacks makes case for England call with T20 Blast heroics

Big wicket: Jacks celebrates after dismissing Bell-Drummond
Getty Images for Surrey CCC
Will Macpherson2 October 2020

As his team prepare for their first appearance at T20 Finals Day since 2014, captain Gareth Batty believes that in Will Jacks, Surrey have “the complete modern package” and a future England star.

Jacks, 21, has had a superb Vitality Blast, culminating in an outstanding all-round performance to see off Kent in Thursday’s quarter-final.

Having made a handy 24 from 18 balls after moving from opener to No4, Jacks took four for 15 with his off-spin to leave Kent’s chase of 170 in disarray. Even better, Jacks’ wickets were three England players and Daniel Bell-Drummond, the Blast’s leading run-scorer.

That leaves Jacks with season’s figures of 290 runs at an average of 41 and strike-rate of 151, and 10 wickets at an average of 17 and economy of 6.29. He sits atop the PCA’s MVP rankings for the Blast and looks set for a winter playing in the Big Bash, where he has attracted strong interest.

Jacks was part of England’s expanded 55-man training squad at the start of this summer and Batty believes he is so close to a first full call-up.

“As far as I’m concerned, when England are looking for someone who bats and bowls spin, he’s right up there. He’s putting in a real case for himself,” he said.

“He’s coming on quite beautifully. He’s a confident bowler. He started out bowling in the powerplay, but he’s expanding that role and here he’s bowled magnificently well in pressure situations, getting proper players out.

“The quarter-final was a step up in his figures, but in terms of the way he’s been bowling, it could have happened any game this season.

“He’s got all the talent in the world. He’s adapted with the bat at No4, playing cleverly, and his bowling is improving. Don’t forget he’s a jet in the field. He’s the modern day complete package and is getting better and better.”

Surrey face Gloucestershire in the opening semi-final at Edgbaston, with Lancashire and Nottinghamshire meeting after. The weather forecast is poor, and if play is not possible tomorrow or on Sunday, the competition will be decided by an indoor bowl out.

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