Will Jacks takes five wickets for England after emergency appendix surgery

Will Jacks has revealed that his return to England duty followed emergency surgery for appendicitis, with the all-rounder taking career-best 50-over bowling figures against Sri Lanka just weeks after the operation. BBC Sport reported that Jacks claimed 5-22 in Tuesday's first one-day international at Chester-le-Street, helping England win after also contributing an unbeaten 46 with the bat.

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The 27-year-old had travelled to Edinburgh last month for his mother's 60th birthday when he became ill. What he initially believed was a stomach bug deteriorated quickly, prompting a visit to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and an emergency operation. Speaking to the BBC, Jacks described the experience as frightening and credited the NHS staff who cared for him.

Doctors initially gave him a four-week recovery period, but he returned a few days ahead of that schedule to captain the England Lions against Sri Lanka on 11 September. He subsequently appeared in all three matches of England's T20 series sweep against the tourists. Jacks said he had only resumed bowling five days before his first game while working to recover his strength and fitness.

Rebuilding core strength was an important part of that preparation because of the movement involved in his spin-bowling action. Jacks said starting with T20 cricket, where his maximum allocation was four overs, helped him regain confidence, while a limited bowling workload during the series also benefited him. His ODI figures were the second-best recorded by an England spinner in the format, according to the BBC.

His batting contribution required a different adjustment. With wickets falling around him, Jacks reassessed the total England could reach and concentrated on keeping the innings going. He struck only one boundary in his first 43 deliveries, helping England move from 211-7 in the 39th over to a final total of 265 in the penultimate over, with Jacks still unbeaten.

Jacks is also serving as Harry Brook's vice-captain for the Sri Lanka series in Jacob Bethell's absence. Having moved from opening to a middle-order finishing role in England's white-ball sides 18 months ago, he said he now felt comfortable handling different match situations. He also acknowledged the security of knowing he would retain his place for the second ODI at Headingley, while stressing that selection was not something to take for granted.