William George Jacks, commonly known as Will Jacks, is a professional cricket player hailing from England. Born on April 21, 1998, Jacks quickly established himself as a dynamic and explosive talent in the limited-overs format of the game. However, his remarkable rise to prominence extended beyond expectations when he made his Test debut and claimed a remarkable six-wicket haul in his very first match.
With his tall stature and clean hitting ability, Jacks was always recognized for his potential as a limited-overs destroyer. His immense talent was brought to the mainstream cricketing public’s attention in 2019 when he smashed a blistering 25-ball hundred in a T10 pre-season match against Lancashire in Dubai. This remarkable display of power and precision cemented his reputation as a devastating batter.
Jacks’ prowess with the bat reached new heights when he scored an unbeaten 108 from just 48 deliveries for Oval Invincibles against defending champions Southern Brave. While this extraordinary feat was met with awe, it showcased the level of skill and composure possessed by the young cricketer.
However, surpassing all expectations, Jacks made history as the first England debutant spinner since 1993 to claim a five-wicket haul in his maiden Test match. In the first innings of the opening Test against Pakistan at Rawalpindi, he took an impressive 6 for 161, setting up a famous victory for his team. It was also the first time he had managed to take more than four wickets in a first-class innings. It is worth noting that Jacks was not even expected to play in that match, but he was called upon before the toss when his Surrey teammate Ben Foakes fell ill.
Jacks had caught the attention of selectors primarily for his off-spin, which, although still relatively raw, had been substantially developed under the guidance of Gareth Batty, Surrey’s head coach. Drawing comparisons to the talented all-rounder Moeen Ali, Jacks was entrusted with the role of lead spin threat during the 2022 County Championship season. Although his returns with the ball were modest, with 17 dismissals at an average of 47, his contributions with the bat were exceptional. He scored 648 runs in 11 appearances, averaging an impressive 54, and emerged as a key member of the title-winning side.
Jacks’ journey towards stardom began with a century against India in an Under-19 Test match during the summer of 2017. He then represented England as the vice-captain in the Under-19 World Cup in 2018, where he showcased his talent once again by hitting an impressive 102 against Canada.
The Surrey youngster made a significant impact in his debut season across all formats in 2018. At the age of 19, Jacks left a lasting impression with a maiden century in county cricket against Gloucestershire in the One-Day Cup. His innings of 121 off 100 balls, which included four sixes, demonstrated his aggressive and fearless style of play.
Although Jacks experienced some inconsistency in the following season, he bounced back with exceptional performances in subsequent T20 Blast seasons. He amassed a staggering 1,151 runs over the next three seasons, emerging as Surrey’s leading run-scorer in both 2021 and 2022. These consistent displays of batting prowess solidified his position as an integral asset for his team.
Will Jacks’ journey in cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. From a raw talent to a dominant force, he has continuously defied expectations and made his mark in both limited-overs matches and Test cricket. With his explosive batting skills and newfound spin bowling prowess, Jacks is undoubtedly a rising star in English cricket.
