Wildcard pick Will Jacks has surprisingly been named in the England squad for the second Ashes Test, taking the place of Shoaib Bashir in Brisbane.
Jacks, known for his limited-overs cricket skills after two Test matches on Pakistan’s spin-friendly pitches, was an unexpected addition to the tour but is now gearing up for a pivotal day/night match at the Gabba.
Due to Mark Wood’s injury sidelining him, England was anticipated to make changes after their quick defeat in Perth, opting for a spin option over additional seamers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts.
While Bashir has been England’s go-to spinner recently with 68 wickets in 19 matches, the dynamic abilities of Jacks, including strong batting and fielding, have earned him the nod for this crucial Test.
Jacks showcased his talents during the net session, impressing selectors with his all-round skills. Despite a decent start to his Test career in Multan, where he took six wickets, Jacks had limited opportunities afterward. He also had a moderate performance for Surrey in the previous season.
England all-rounder Stokes highlighted the strategic move to include a spinner in consideration of Australia’s success with spinners in day/night games.
The team’s primary strength lies in their pace attack, with a focus on maintaining the fitness and effectiveness of key players like Archer, Atkinson, Carse, and Stokes himself. The batting line-up, including Jacks, offers aggressive play and valuable contributions down the order.
Explaining the surprise selection of Jacks, cricket managing director Rob Key emphasized his potential to contribute with both bat and ball, showing composure in high-pressure situations and adapting well to challenging conditions.