England batter Will Jacks declared Indian Premier League (IPL) as the “perfect preparation” for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which will begin in the United States on June 1.
Jacks played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in eight matches where he struck 230 runs at an astounding strike rate of 175.7, which included a 41-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans before being called by England for their four-match T20I series against Pakistan.
Jacks opened up during his time in IPL saying it was perfect preparation for the World Cup as it helped in managing how to perform under pressure as well.
"It [the IPL] was perfect preparation," Jacks, who made his 12th England T20 appearance in Saturday's 27-run win, told BBC Sport.
"It was amazing. I think everything that happens there with the crowd, the atmosphere, obviously the attention, it was completely different to anything I've experienced before but it felt great preparation.
"Going into that game at Edgbaston [on Saturday], I didn't feel really nervous to be honest. Obviously playing for England is unbelievable but I didn't feel like an extra surge of pressure or expectation.
"I think from what I've experienced over the last two months, it kind of came naturally to me and I felt very comfortable with it and the IPL helped. Every game has got such an onus on it and the expectation of the fans and the crowd, it's all there."
Jacks earlier struggled to get a regular batting number due to a pool of talent in England’s squad but he has now been told to bat at number three in the World Cup.
"I know I'm going to bat number three now so it's something I've got my head around over the last six months," said Jacks.
"We've got two great openers who are going to set the platform and whatever situation I come in at I've got to be ready for that - and that's all been part of the learning curve.
"I feel much more comfortable now than I did in November in the Caribbean, and hopefully that will just keep growing. The more experiences I get there, the better I will come at it."
