COLOMBO:

Will Jacks hailed Harry Brook’s impact as England’s white‑ball captain after their four‑wicket win over New Zealand on Friday secured top spot in the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup.

Jacks delivered an all‑round performance, taking two wickets in four economical overs before adding a brisk 44‑run partnership with Rehan Ahmed in England’s chase of 160, which they completed with three balls remaining.

Asked whether England’s recent form signalled a return to the “Bazball” style of play popularised by coach Brendon McCullum, Jacks instead pointed to Brook, who struck a 50‑ball century against Pakistan in their previous match to seal a semi‑final berth and again settled down the innings on Friday after England slipped to 2–2 early in the chase.

“I think this group is the era of Harry Brook. He is our white-ball captain,” Jacks told reporters in Colombo.

“And I think that is something that we’ve been really focusing on. He has got us to play a certain way, and I think the environment around the group led by him is absolutely brilliant.

“Hopefully, everyone can see that we’re having fun and we’re approaching the game in the right way. And I think that’s why we’ve had some success.”

England will face India or West Indies in the semi‑finals, with the two sides meeting on Sunday. Jacks said England would be ready for either opponent.

“We’ll be watching their game Sunday and we’ll see the outcome. We’ll be prepared and I think we’ll go into it with optimism and excitement.”

 

Rehan and Jacks late show

Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks’ rapid 44-run partnership turned the game as England chased down a target of 160 with three balls to spare to beat New Zealand by four wickets in the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eights on Friday.

England, who had already qualified for next week’s semi-finals, topped Group Two by winning all three of their games. New Zealand must wait for the result between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Saturday to see if they advance to the last four.

“It was on a bit of a knife edge and I’m over the moon,” said player of the match Jacks, who took two wickets before scoring a quickfire 32.

New Zealand chose to bat first and although Jofra Archer bowled a maiden first over, openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen picked up 54 runs in the powerplay.

The English spinners reined back the 2021 finalists, however, with Adil Rashid getting Seifert (35) stumped and Allen (29) falling to Jacks four balls later.

New Zealand did not hit a boundary between the 13th and 17th overs, as Rashid (2-28) dismissed Mark Chapman (15) and Daryl Mitchell (3) fell to Liam Dawson.

Glenn Phillips made a rapid 39 and Cole McConchie (14) added late runs before captain Mitchell Santner hit a six off the last ball to get New Zealand to 159-7.

New Zealand started well, Matt Henry bowling a perfect delivery to get Phil Salt (2) caught behind, before Lockie Ferguson dismissed Jos Buttler for a duck.

With England reeling at 2-2, captain Harry Brook set about stabilising the innings with Jacob Bethell.

They added 48 runs for the third wicket before Brook, fresh from his brilliant hundred against Pakistan, fell for 26 trying to hit Phillips over long off.

Bethell (21) pulled Ravindra to deep mid-wicket, where Phillips dived forward to take a spectacular low catch and leave England in trouble at 58-4.

Tom Banton and Sam Curran kept England in the game with a solid partnership before the latter holed out.

Rachin Ravindra (3-19) found sharp turn and had Banton (33) caught at mid-wicket, leaving England needing 43 to win from the last three overs.

Rehan (19) and Jacks hit Phillips for a six each to pick up 22 runs from the 18th over and they closed out the victory with ease.

Pakistan need to beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs or chase down a target in around 13.1 overs to deny New Zealand a place in the semi-finals.