ICC T20 World Cup: Will Jacks hails Harry Brook as England clinch top spot with win over New Zealand

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."