Will Jacks intends to treat England’s next two tri-series matches as a mini World Cup after defeats by Pakistan and Sri Lanka boxed them into a corner.
England looked set to bounce back from an 87-run mauling by Pakistan as Harry Brook’s daring 202 lifted them to 429 for four against Sri Lanka, who remarkably overhauled the total from the penultimate ball.
A two-wicket defeat means England arrived in Lahore knowing they have to beat Pakistan on Sunday then Sri Lanka on Thursday to give themselves the best chance of booking a place in next Sunday’s final.
Jacks pointed out England were faced with a similar predicament en route to winning the 2019 World Cup and with the 2027 edition in southern Africa in mind, he views the next week as important preparation.
The 27-year-old all-rounder told the Press Association: “It’s my first tri-series and it replicates World Cup styles and pressures. You can’t replicate that in training or a bilateral series.
“In World Cups you have to bounce back, I remember in 2019 when England lost a couple of games in the group and they had to win their last two and they were able to do that to take the momentum forward.
“I’m not saying it’s the same thing but it’s a mini version of that and hopefully we can win on Sunday and move on. We have the opportunity to play in two must-win fixtures.
“Every game that we play is a stepping stone towards South Africa in 12 months’ time. Sometimes you learn more in losses than you do in wins. There’s always going to be bumps.”
With double World Cup winner Adil Rashid left out for tactical reasons, Jacks was part of a callow six-strong bowling group that was pummelled to all parts by Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Sam Curran, in his second match back after groin surgery, was the most experienced although he was also the most expensive, conceding an eye-watering 103 from nine overs, the worst ever one-day international figures by an England bowler.
Jacks said: “I’ve been through (operations) and it’s always a bit tense playing your first few games and keeping your fingers crossed that your body holds up and you get into the game.
“They were incredibly hard conditions to bowl in for any bowler and he bowls a lot of pressure overs – that’s his role in the team. He’s been so successful with that for England over a number of years.
“There are some days where it doesn’t quite work. If they’re going to chase 430 then someone’s going to have to get some tap, but it’s more of a bowling unit problem that we lost that game.”
While the bowling came under scrutiny, Jacks believes they found the “perfect batting template”, with his close friend Brook recording the all-time fastest ODI double hundred and the first by an England batter.
Jacks, who was at the other end when Brook reached the milestone, added: “From when I went in, he was on 90 so to see him get to a hundred and then a double hundred – which we didn’t even really think about until the last two overs – was amazing.
“He’s someone I’ve played a lot of cricket with and to be at the other end and have the best seat was really special, I loved it.”