Will Jacks feels enjoying his cricket has helped him find form again
Since then England Test chief McCullum has been handed the white-ball reins and Jacks, who was instantly recalled for the West Indies series earlier in the summer, has taken on board his key message to firstly enjoy his cricket with runs on the international scene along with for Surrey and Oval Invincibles.
'He's a very good communicator and instils a lot of confidence in the team,' Jacks said of McCullum.
Fielding. Flying. Four runs saved.
WIll Jacks' brilliance on the boundary is your @KPNuts Play of the Day 🦅#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/DvrOlDFBqV
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 10, 2025
'Alongside (Harry) Brooky, they were working really well together in that series and we had a hell of a lot of fun.
'Obviously the performances went well and I think that is to do with how we were approaching the game off the field. Yeah, I'd love to spend more time around that environment and hopefully I can real soon.
'When I got dropped by England around Christmas to New Year time, I was actually at peace with the decision.
'It took a bit of weight off my shoulders and since then I have just tried to find the enjoyment in the game, play with freedom and enjoy playing with my mates, which is what I love doing at Surrey, here for Invincibles and then at England some of my best mates are there.
'I've just really been enjoying my cricket this summer and that's led to some good performances.'
A post shared by Will Jacks (@willjacks9)
The numbers show a player at the top of his game with 504 runs at an average of 50.40 in the recent Vitality Blast, including a sparkling 59-ball century against Sussex and 119 in a County Championship draw with Durham.
Before those eye-catching performances, Jacks adapted quickly to a different role under old friend and England white-ball captain Brook of batting at seven in the 3-0 T20 and ODI wins over West Indies.
It means during recent months Jacks has opened for Surrey in the Vitality Blast, batted at four in red-ball cricket and now dropped down the order for England.
But Jacks insisted: 'It's been really smooth. I think I am at a stage in my career where I'm understanding my game better than ever and I'm approaching the game in a positive mindset and not searching for things.
'Every day is a learning curve and the series at number seven was new, but I feel I have got the temperament now and the game to back it up.
'It is something I'll keep working on and I'm looking forward to the next opportunity.'
A 24-ball innings of 39 against West Indies was followed by a patient 49 in a successful run chase to demonstrate Jacks' ability to be a man for all seasons.
The next focus is The Hundred and Jacks smashed 61 against Manchester Originals on Saturday, but the 26-year-old is not thinking about nailing down a place in McCullum's squad for the T20 World Cup at the start of 2026.
'To be honest no, I'm not thinking about anything like that,' Jacks added.
'I am just going game by game and trying to have fun. What happens in a year's time has nothing to do with what I do tomorrow, so I think that is the best way to look at it.'
KP Snacks, the Official Team Partner of The Hundred, are celebrating the installation of 100 new community cricket pitches across England and Wales. To find out more and search for your nearest pitch, visit: www.everyonein.co.uk/pitchfinder.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Liam Livingstone inspires Birmingham Phoenix to victory over Oval Invincibles
Liam Livingstone was at his buccaneering best as Birmingham Phoenix claimed their first win of The Hundred this year, overcoming defending champions Oval Invincibles by four wickets. Dropped from England's white-ball sides this year, Livingstone delivered a reminder of his enduring class with 69 not out off 27 balls at Edgbaston, including an astonishing takedown of Rashid Khan. Livingstone thumped 26, including three of his five sixes, in Khan's final set, with the vaunted Afghanistan leg-spinner's nought for 59 the worst figures ever recorded in the men's competition. Saqib Mahmood took two wickets in two balls to set up a grandstand finale, but Benny Howell drove for four first up to settle a high-scoring thriller as a pursuit of 181 was reeled in with two deliveries to spare. As well as a special innings from captain Livingstone, Birmingham, who started their campaign by losing to Trent Rockets and Southern Brave, were grateful for 51 from Will Smeed, although England pair Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell were dismissed for single figures as their quiet tournaments continued. The Invincibles, who lost for the first time this year after two successive wins, recovered from 114 for five from 73 balls to get to 180 for eight thanks to Donovan Ferreira's 63 off 29 deliveries. Earlier, Alice Capsey rediscovered some fluency on the big stage as the Invincibles posted their highest women's total en route to their first win of 2025 after downing the Phoenix by 22 runs. Former Australia captain Meg Lanning swiped 36 off 19 balls in a 76-run opening stand with Invincibles skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill (33), laying the foundations for Capsey to capitalise on the fine start. She has struggled for England in the past 12 months, but the 21-year-old's 52 off 29 deliveries was an uplifting return to form in the tournament where she first made a name for herself, aged 16, in 2021. Paige Scholfield added 25 not out off 16 balls as the Invincibles, who began their campaign with losses to London Spirit and Manchester Originals, reached 174 for five, the third best women's score ever. Amanda-Jade Wellington, out for a golden duck, took centre stage in the reply, following up a juggling catch to dismiss Georgia Voll (22) with a no-look underarm back flick to run out Emma Lamb (25). In between the Australian's leg spin did for Marie Kelly and Ellyse Perry, who was looking dangerous on 29 before feathering behind, as the Phoenix charge finished on 152 for six.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Livingstone takes down Rashid to secure thrilling win
The Hundred men's competition, Edgbaston Oval Invincibles 180-8 (100 balls): Ferreira 63 (29); Boult 2-20Birmingham Phoenix 182-6 (98 balls): Livingstone 69* (27); Mahmood 3-28Birmingham Phoenix won by four wicketsScorecard. Table Liam Livingstone brilliantly took down Rashid Khan to lead Birmingham Phoenix home in a thrilling and unlikely chase of 181 and beat defending champions Oval Invincibles in the men's Phoenix, beaten in both of their first two fixtures, needed 61 runs from 24 balls with six wickets left before captain Livingstone struck five balls from superstar Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid for 26 runs, with three sixes and two 22 required from the last 10 he thrashed Tom Curran for another two sixes to put Phoenix on the with three to defend from the last five, Saqib Mahmood took two wickets in two balls but Benny Howell drove a four and Livingstone finished 69 not out from 27 - Phoenix completing the third-highest chase in The Hundred with four wickets and two balls to final figures - 0-59 from 20 balls - are the most expensive in the tournament as the Invincibles' winning start to the tournament Ferreira had seemingly put them in control by hitting a brutal 63 from 29 balls to lift the Invincibles to Livingstone, backed up by 51 from 29 by opener Will Smeed, produced one of the best knocks in The Hundred, sealing one of the more improbable victories. What is happening on Wednesday? There are four games on Wednesday - two men's and two women' Brave host Northern Superchargers with the women's match starting at 11:30 BST and the men's 15: Fire also host Manchester Originals in the women's competition from 15:00 with the men following from 18: can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Livingstone's fireworks help Phoenix sneak thriller against Invincibles
Update: Date: 21:40 BST Title: Goodbye Content: Well, that was fun. We're off for a lie down - you can take a read of Matthew Henry's report as Birmingham Phoenix beat Oval Invincibles with the third-highest successful chase in the history of the men's competition. We've got four games for you on Wednesday with two double-headers Southern Brave host Northern Superchargers with the women's match starting at 11:30 BST and the men's at 15:00, while Manchester Originals travel to Welsh Fire - their games are at 15:00 in the women's competition with the men following from 18:30. You'll be able to follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. See you tomorrow! Update: Date: 21:36 BST Title: Post Content: Birmingham Phoenix captain Liam Livingstone on BBC Two: "That innings was nice, we needed it! It has been a bit of a disappointing start to the tournament so we certainly needed a result. It is kind of nice to lead from the front, hopefully that gives the boys a bit of momentum and confidence. "I was trying to be there at the end. Something I haven't done a lot of in my career is be there to walk off having won the game, so it was in the back of my mind. We still needed to take some risks and I felt the longer boundary was an easier hit for some reason today. I don't know why, it just felt like it was more into my arc. "I don't know why Tom [Curran] decided to spray me when he got Jacob [Bethell]. I have no idea why. He is one of my good friends, I've played Lions cricket with him for so long, and he called me a 'fat slob' or something. "The win is massive. There is no hiding in this competition. If you lose a couple of games, you can be up against it. Hopefully this gives us a bit of confidence going forward, but we are still right up against it." Update: Date: 21:34 BST Title: Post Content: Oval Invincibles' opening bowler Jason Behrendorff went for a tidy 0-14 from his 15 balls, but didn't return after the 20th ball. I didn't spot him go off the field - it's possible he did - but I'm surprised he didn't get to complete his allocation if he stayed on. Update: Date: 21:31 BST Title: Post Content: Birmingham Phoenix's Will Smeed on BBC Two: "That was incredible. It was nice to come out on the right side of a close game. Hopefully everyone in the ground enjoyed watching that and hopefully that is the start of a successful competition for us as well. "I felt like I was ready to walk off after the first 10 balls to be fair, I just couldn't hit the ball at all but I just stuck in there. [Liam] Livingstone at the end, that was ridiculous! That is just what he does and that is why he is playing around the world and doing the stuff he has done. It was insane to watch. There's not many people that can do what he has done today. "I wasn't nervous at the end, I always back the boys. When you need three runs off the last five balls, you back yourself. It was great to come out on the right side today." Update: Date: 21:28 BST Title: Post Content: Saqib Mahmood finishes with figures of 3-28 off his 13 balls, having almost bowled his side back into contention in the final set. Meanwhile Phoenix skipper Liam Livingstone got to watch all the closing drama from the other end - he walks off unbeaten on 69 from 27 balls. Update: Date: 21:26 BST Title: Post Content: Alana KingTrent Rockets leg-spinner on BBC Two Thrilling! We had one batters from each side really showcase their skills. Liam Livingstone didn't come out of the blocks as we thought, but once he got going he was going to be hard to stop! The Birmingham Phoenix fans are quite delighted with that game. What a game of cricket. Update: Date: 21:24 BST Title: Post Content: Henry MoeranCommentator on BBC Two Pressure? What pressure? What a game of cricket! The third highest run chase in the men's Hundred. Birmingham Phoenix get over the line and this crowd have been royally entertained. A fabulous performance from the skipper Liam Livingstone. Update: Date: 2 balls left Title: Birmingham Phoenix win by four wickets Content: Phoenix 182-6 Benny Howell wins it for the home side! The Phoenix batter pushes away the hat-trick ball and his shot evades the diving fielder in the covers and progresses steadily the boundary for four. That inning swung all over the place Update: Date: 3 balls left Title: WICKET Content: Kimber b Mahmood 0 (Phoenix 178-6) Back-to-back wickets for Saqib Mahmood! Is he going to save the game with wickets? Full and straight, Louis Kimber tries to get leg side and is castled. Mahmood on a hat-trick, with Benny Howell coming in... Update: Date: 4 balls left Title: WICKET Content: Mousley lbw b Mahmood 11 (Phoenix 178-5) Umpire's call - Mousley has to go. Ball tracking has a strike on the very base of leg stump, the Phoenix batter perhaps a little unfortunate. Update: Date: 4 balls left Title: Umpire review Content: Dan Mousley struck on the pads, up goes the umpire's finger. The batter reviews, why wouldn't he? Update: Date: 21:18 BST Title: Post Content: Ravi BoparaFormer England all-rounder on BBC Two Saqib Mahmood has got a tough job to defend three runs here. You don't often see it done. If he manages to pull this one off, there is going to be a party in Birmingham. Update: Date: 21:17 BST Title: Post Content: Alana KingTrent Rockets leg-spinner on BBC Two Liam Livingstone is absolutely box office. I love watching him bat. He doesn't die wondering. When it is hit, it stays hit. Update: Date: 5 balls left Title: Phoenix 178-4 Content: 3 runs needed Tom Curran finishes with a delivery that's just within the tram lines on the off side. Livingstone can only squeeze a single, moving to 69 from 27. Saqib Mahmood needs to defend three from the final set of five deliveries, with Dan Mousley facing initially. Update: Date: 6 balls left Title: Phoenix 177-4 Content: 4 runs needed Livingstone blocks out a yorker - Phoenix still hustle through two. Update: Date: 21:16 BST Title: Post Content: Ravi BoparaFormer England all-rounder on BBC Two This is clean striking from Liam Livingstone. You can tell when a batsman is in the zone. The head is still and the eyes are level. Update: Date: 8 balls left Title: Phoenix 175-4 Content: 6 runs needed Again! Tom Curran sits it up nicely, suddenly Phoenix look comfortable. Update: Date: 8 balls left Title: Phoenix 169-4 Content: 12 runs needed And six now! Heaved over the leg side. Phoenix real favourites now. Update: Date: 9 balls left Title: Phoenix 163-4 Content: 18 runs needed Liam Livingstone smashes through the covers off Tom Curran's first ball! It's all to play for... Update: Date: 21:13 BST Title: How's stat?! Content: Kieran ParmleyCricviz analyst Liam Livingstone has now hit 21 sixes off Rashid Khan in T20 cricket, nine more than the next highest batter (Chris Gayle, 12).
