All-rounder Will Jacks expressed his full support for England T20 World Cup captain Harry Brook, who has faced criticism recently. Jacks stated on Friday that Brook has “100 per cent” backing from the
players after experiencing a “tough time.”
The 26-year-old Brook, leading in a global tournament for the first time, has been in the spotlight for negative reasons. Last month, he had to apologise for an altercation with a nightclub bouncer during England’s white-ball tour of New Zealand last year, calling it a “terrible mistake.”
Jacks has been close to Brook since they were roommates with the England Under-19s. He acknowledged the challenging period for Brook, highlighted in the media, and expressed his support.
“Obviously, it’s been a tough time and that’s been well documented in the media,” Jacks was quoted as saying ahead of team training in Mumbai on the eve of the tournament.
“I wasn’t actually in New Zealand, so I didn’t know anything about it.
“He’s obviously made the wrong decision, but he’s accepted that. He’s obviously making amends on the pitch, and we all back him 100 per cent.”
Brook, a highly talented run-scorer, has the opportunity to shift focus back to his batting in England’s opening match against Nepal in Mumbai on Sunday. Jacks noted, “He wants his cricket to do the talking.”
Good Form
England enters the World Cup in good form, buoyed by a 3-0 T20 series win in Sri Lanka this week. In the preceding ODI series against the same opposition, Brook scored an explosive 136 off just 66 balls.
Jacks emphasised the team’s unity and strength, remarking,
“It’s not so much we are taking momentum from that, but team unity, feeling strong within ourselves,” said Jacks.
“We have been performing well over the last 12 months, since Harry’s become captain, and we’re very happy with that.
“What we did in the last few weeks in Sri Lanka is another stepping stone.
“We come into here full of confidence and belief that we can go a long way in this tournament.
“But that doesn’t guarantee us anything. We know that there’s amazing teams in this World Cup.”
Acknowledging the competition, Jacks added, “India, on home soil, I think everyone knows who’s favorites.”
England aims to progress to the Super Eight stage from Group C, which also includes two-time winners West Indies, debutants Italy, and Scotland.
(With inputs from Agencies)
