For T20 World Cup the IPL is the "perfect preparation," according to Jacks

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has provided Will Jacks, an all-rounder for England, with "perfect preparation" for the T20 World Cup

After making his debut in the IPL, which is regarded as the greatest franchise league in the world, Jacks, 25, is scheduled to play in his first international competition for England.

He made eight appearances for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, helping his team bounce back from a bad start to qualify for the playoffs. Against Gujarat Titans, he hit an undefeated forty-one-ball century in a thrilling run chase.

Jacks quit the competition early to play for England, a team with little experience in the T20 World Cup.

Since winning the championship in Australia in November 2022, they have only participated in 13 Twenty20 matches.

They are in the middle of a four-match series with Pakistan, but the first encounter was postponed due to rain, and Tuesday's game in Cardiff might be impacted by inclement weather as well.

"It [the IPL] was perfect preparation," Jacks highlighted, who made his 12th England T20 appearance in Saturday's 27-run win. "It was amazing. I think everything that happened there with the crowd, the atmosphere, and the attention, it was completely different to anything I've experienced before but it felt like great preparation. Going into that game at Edgbaston [on Saturday], I didn't feel nervous, to be honest. 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."

In the T20 Blast, Jacks has consistently been at the head of Surrey's lineup. He has also shown promise in T20 franchise competitions in Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Due to the depth of quality in the pool, he has found it difficult to secure a regular berth in international cricket. Nonetheless, he feels that his role is now well defined in front of his trip to the Caribbean.

Playing at three for RCB, Jacks claimed he "learned a lot" and that the "different conditions and coming in at different times during the game" helped him improve.

Additionally, he is a useful off-spinner, which might be an invaluable weapon for England given that slow bowling is expected to be encouraged on Caribbean wickets.