Pallekele’s electric atmosphere set the stage for England’s dominant start to the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 round. Crushing Sri Lanka in a thrilling encounter, the English side owed much of its success to all-rounder Will Jacks, whose bowling masterclass turned the game on its head.
Jacks, awarded Player of the Match for his spellbinding figures of 3/22 in four overs, spoke candidly post-match. ‘I love taking responsibility with the ball,’ he declared, beaming with pride. ‘It motivates me to perform at my best in the middle.’
England posted 145 in their first innings, a total they were content with but knew required sharp bowling to defend. The powerplay proved pivotal, with Jofra Archer striking early blows, setting a tone Jacks and the attack gleefully exploited. ‘We knew this pitch well from our recent series here,’ Jacks noted. ‘The ball spins hard, and we capitalized on that.’
His familiarity with Pallekele’s conditions wasn’t just talk—Jacks dismantled Sri Lanka’s top order, maintaining relentless pressure. Beyond bowling, he chipped in with a brisk 21 off 14 balls, underscoring his value as a genuine all-round threat.
Admitting the group stage hadn’t been vintage England, Jacks hailed this victory as a game-changer. ‘We’re thrilled with this performance. It shows what we’re capable of when we click.’ As Super 8 heats up, Jacks’ leadership with the ball signals England’s intent to dominate.