COLOMBO: Will Jacks hailed Harry Brooks impact as England’s white-ball captain after their four-wicket win over New Zealand on Friday secured top spot in the Super Eights stage of the ICC 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 22 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.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2026