Will Jacks takes three wickets to crush host nation
England successfully defended a modest total of 146 runs against the host nation on Sunday. Will Jacks completely derailed the run chase by grabbing three crucial wickets in the early overs. This dominant performance in Pallekele pushes the English squad to the very top of the Super Eight Group 2 standings. Fans watching the England vs Sri Lanka match witnessed a massive 51-run victory that significantly boosted the winning side's net run rate.
Chasing exactly 147 should have been a manageable task for the home side. Things fell apart rapidly during the powerplay, leaving them struggling at 34 for 5. Jacks bowled beautifully, taking three wickets for just 22 runs without breaking a sweat. His off-spin sent Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, and Dunith Wellalage back to the pavilion in quick succession. Fast bowler Jofra Archer also joined the party, claiming two wickets for 20 runs. Ultimately, the entire batting lineup collapsed for a mere 95 runs. Dasun Shanaka provided a brief spark with a quick 30, but it was nowhere near enough to rescue the innings.
Earlier in the day, batting proved to be quite difficult in the humid conditions. Phil Salt stood tall among his teammates, battling his way to a vital 62 off 36 balls. His gritty half-century was absolutely essential because the rest of the lineup struggled heavily. Wellalage bowled brilliantly for the hosts, removing dangerous players like Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Salt himself. Jacks chipped in with 21 runs with the bat, making him the second-highest scorer for his side.
Securing this win gives the reigning champions a crucial one-point lead over Pakistan and New Zealand in their group. Meanwhile, this crushing defeat extends a miserable losing streak against this specific opponent to 12 matches. Local Odisha cricket fans following the tournament will note how clinical the English bowlers were under pressure. It was a complete team effort to defend what initially seemed like an under-par total.
Image Source: ESPN / ICC
