England had looked set to bounce back from an 87-run hammering by Pakistan as Harry Brook's record-breaking 202 saw Sri Lanka set a massive 430 to win their match on Thursday, only for them to pull off a remarkable run chase on the penultimate ball. The two-wicket defeat means England arrive in Lahore knowing they must beat both Pakistan on Sunday and then Sri Lanka on Thursday to give themselves a chance of reaching the final on Saturday, October 31. Report: Sri Lanka chase 430 to stun England in tri-series What cost England as 'box office' Harry Brook's 'genius' is wasted? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream no contract with NOW Jacks pointed out that England were faced with a similar predicament en route to winning the 2019 World Cup and, looking ahead to 2027 edition in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, he views this next week as important preparation. \"It's my first tri-series and it replicates World Cup-style pressure.\" Jacks told the Press Association on Friday. \"You can't replicate that in training or a bilateral series. \"In World Cups you have to bounce back, I remember in 2019 when England lost a couple of games in the group and they had to win their last two [against India and New Zealand] and they were able to do that to take the momentum forward [into the semi-finals]. \"I'm not saying it's the same thing but it's a mini version of that and hopefully we can win on Sunday and move on. We have the opportunity to play in two must-win fixtures. \"Every game that we play is a stepping stone towards South Africa in 12 months' time. Sometimes you learn more in losses than you do in wins. There's always going to be bumps.\" Jacks was part of a six-strong bowling group that was pummelled to all parts by Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Sam Curran, in his second match back after groin surgery, was the most experienced of the attack but ended up being the most expensive, conceding an eye-watering 103 from nine overs - the worst ever ODI figures by an England bowler. Jacks said of Curran: \"I've been through operations and it's always a bit tense playing your first few games and keeping your fingers crossed that your body holds up and you get into the game. \"They were incredibly hard conditions to bowl in for any bowler and he bowls a lot of pressure overs - that's his role in the team. He's been so successful with that for England over a number of years. \"There are some days where it doesn't quite work. If they're going to chase 430 then someone's going to have to get some tap, but it's more of a bowling unit problem that we lost that game.\" While the bowling came under scrutiny, Jacks believes they found the \"perfect batting template\", with his close friend Brook recording the all-time fastest ODI double-hundred and the first by an England batter. Jacks, who was at the other end when Brook reached the milestone, added: \"From when I went in, he was on 90, so to see him get to a hundred and then a double hundred - which we didn't even really think about until the last two overs - was amazing. \"He's someone I've played a lot of cricket with and to be at the other end and have the best seat was really special, I loved it.\" Watch England's next tri-series match, against Pakistan in Lahore, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 7.30am on Sunday (8am first ball). Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract through NOW - cancel anytime. ODI tri-series results and schedule All games live on Sky Sports; all times UK and Ireland October 18 - Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs October 20 - Pakistan beat England by 87 runs October 22 - Sri Lanka beat England by two wickets October 25 (8am) - Pakistan vs England October 27 (8am) - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka October 29 (8am) - Sri Lanka vs England October 31 (8am) - Final ","mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","url": "/cricket/news/13602869/will-jacks-england-in-mini-world-cup-scenario-as-they-enter-must-win-territory-in-tri-series-with-pakistan-and-sri-lanka"},"wordCount": "927","inLanguage": "en-GB","genre": "cricket","publisher": {"@type": "Organization","@id": "#Publisher","name": "Sky Sports","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","@id": "#Logo","url": "https://e0.365dm.com/tvlogos/channels/Sky-Sports-Logo.png","width": "172","height": "36"}},"headline": "Will Jacks: England in 'mini World Cup' scenario as they enter must-win territory in tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka","description": "England followed an opening loss to Pakistan with a shock defeat to Sri Lanka despite a record-breaking 202 from Harry Brook; watch England's next tri-series match, against Pakistan, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7.30am, Sunday (8am first ball) ","dateline": "London,UK","copyrightHolder": {"@id":"#Publisher"},"author": {"@id":"#Publisher"},"datePublished": "2026-10-24T07:00:00+0000","dateModified": "2026-10-25T08:11:21+0000","dateCreated": "2026-10-23T21:02:25+0000","image": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://e0.365dm.com/26/10/2048x1152/skysports-will-jacks-harry-brook_7385145.jpg?20261024091606","width": 2048,"height": 1152 } ,"url":"/cricket/news/13602869/will-jacks-england-in-mini-world-cup-scenario-as-they-enter-must-win-territory-in-tri-series-with-pakistan-and-sri-lanka" } Skip to main content Sky Sports Homepage Open menu Home Sports Football F1 Cricket Rugby Union Rugby League Golf Boxing NFL Tennis NBA Racing Darts Netball MMA More Sports Scores Football F1 Cricket Rugby Union Rugby League Golf NFL Tennis Watch Sky Bet More Podcasts Upcoming on Sky Get Sky Sports Sky Sports App Sky Sports with no contract Kick It Out British South Asians in Football Watch Sky Sports Cricket
England followed an opening loss to Pakistan with a shock defeat to Sri Lanka despite a record-breaking 202 from Harry Brook; watch England's next tri-series match, against Pakistan, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7.30am, Sunday (8am first ball)
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Will Jacks intends to treat England's next two tri-series matches as a mini World Cup after defeats by Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their opening two matches boxed them into must-win territory.
England had looked set to bounce back from an 87-run hammering by Pakistan as Harry Brook's record-breaking 202 saw Sri Lanka set a massive 430 to win their match on Thursday, only for them to pull off a remarkable run chase on the penultimate ball.
The two-wicket defeat means England arrive in Lahore knowing they must beat both Pakistan on Sunday and then Sri Lanka on Thursday to give themselves a chance of reaching the final on Saturday, October 31.
Jacks pointed out that England were faced with a similar predicament en route to winning the 2019 World Cup and, looking ahead to 2027 edition in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, he views this next week as important preparation.
"It's my first tri-series and it replicates World Cup-style pressure." Jacks told the Press Association on Friday. "You can't replicate that in training or a bilateral series.
"In World Cups you have to bounce back, I remember in 2019 when England lost a couple of games in the group and they had to win their last two [against India and New Zealand] and they were able to do that to take the momentum forward [into the semi-finals].
"I'm not saying it's the same thing but it's a mini version of that and hopefully we can win on Sunday and move on. We have the opportunity to play in two must-win fixtures.
"Every game that we play is a stepping stone towards South Africa in 12 months' time. Sometimes you learn more in losses than you do in wins. There's always going to be bumps."
Jacks was part of a six-strong bowling group that was pummelled to all parts by Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Sam Curran, in his second match back after groin surgery, was the most experienced of the attack but ended up being the most expensive, conceding an eye-watering 103 from nine overs - the worst ever ODI figures by an England bowler.
Jacks said of Curran: "I've been through operations and it's always a bit tense playing your first few games and keeping your fingers crossed that your body holds up and you get into the game.
"They were incredibly hard conditions to bowl in for any bowler and he bowls a lot of pressure overs - that's his role in the team. He's been so successful with that for England over a number of years.
"There are some days where it doesn't quite work. If they're going to chase 430 then someone's going to have to get some tap, but it's more of a bowling unit problem that we lost that game."
While the bowling came under scrutiny, Jacks believes they found the "perfect batting template", with his close friend Brook recording the all-time fastest ODI double-hundred and the first by an England batter.
Jacks, who was at the other end when Brook reached the milestone, added: "From when I went in, he was on 90, so to see him get to a hundred and then a double hundred - which we didn't even really think about until the last two overs - was amazing.
"He's someone I've played a lot of cricket with and to be at the other end and have the best seat was really special, I loved it."
Watch England's next tri-series match, against Pakistan in Lahore, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 7.30am on Sunday (8am first ball). Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract through NOW - cancel anytime.
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