England all-rounder Will Jacks has admitted he is still rebuilding confidence in his bowling after emergency surgery last month, despite taking a five-wicket haul to secure victory for England against Sri Lanka.
What was intended to be a family trip to Scotland for his mother’s 60th birthday took a sudden turn when the 27-year-old was hospitalised immediately after flying to Edinburgh, undergoing an appendectomy the following day.
"It was completely random and quite scary," Jacks said. "I was really lucky to be looked after really well by the NHS. You are just at the beck and call of the surgery of how well it goes.
"You don’t know the recovery until after you wake up. I was just fingers crossed going in and luckily they were able to do a slight incision and not have to rip me open completely."
Left with three small abdominal scars, Jacks had just four weeks to recover and regain fitness ahead of England’s late-summer white-ball fixtures against Sri Lanka.
The recovery required a gradual return to off-spin bowling. He acknowledged feeling a "little under-cooked" upon returning for the Lions earlier this month, while remaining glad the T20 series preceded the ODIs.
Nevertheless, he proved his value to the side by scoring an undefeated 46 in the opening ODI at the Banks Homes Riverside before taking five for 22 to help England secure an 89-run win on Tuesday.
"It was more of a confidence thing," Jacks said. "I have lost a lot of my core strength.
"If I am honest, I only bowled five days before the first T20 because I was building up my strength and trying to get some fitness back. Batting was easier to do first and we left bowling to the last thing."
Having initially emerged as an explosive opening batter and part-time spinner, Jacks has transitioned into a deeper middle-order all-rounder under Harry Brook’s captaincy.
His strong performances this year led to his appointment as vice-captain for Sri Lanka's visit, with Jacks explaining that he feels increasingly secure in his role.
"My role in the team is something I am comfortable with," he said. "I know how I am viewed by my captain and the other players.
"It is a luxury to know, say when we go to Headingley (for the second ODI), that I will be in the team. You can’t take that for granted and appreciate the hard work you have done to get there."
With fewer than 48 hours between the first two ODIs, England could rotate their seamers for Headingley, where Sonny Baker is waiting in reserve and Henry Crocombe is bidding for an international debut.
Jacks is keen to complete the summer strongly. He has committed to playing in the SA20 in January and February, which could potentially conflict with England’s Test tour of Bangladesh.
Unused by the Test team this summer following four appearances during last winter’s Ashes, his improving off-spin could appeal to new Test head coach Stephen Fleming, particularly in Asian conditions.
"I don’t know about what would happen or if even they would want me," Jacks added. "We will finish the summer before getting into the winter."
