Colombo, Feb 27 (NationPress) Following his remarkable achievement of securing a fourth Player of the Match (POTM) accolade during the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the composed Will Jacks hailed his innings of 32 runs off 18 balls as pivotal in England's four-wicket victory over New Zealand, clinching the win with three balls remaining in their Group 2 Super 8 encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Jacks’ steady performance, alongside Rehan Ahmed’s impressive unbeaten 19 runs off just seven balls, played a crucial role in helping England chase down a target of 160 runs in a match that remained tightly contested until the final moments.

Speaking about receiving the award, Jacks expressed, “I believe this is the best one yet. I’m absolutely thrilled, especially considering how close the game was. When I stepped onto the field, the match was extremely tense, so I’m delighted with the outcome.”

In pursuit of 160, England faced early setbacks as Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson struck early blows. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler fell cheaply, leaving England with just two runs on the board and New Zealand in control.

Yet, captain Harry Brook responded with poise, forming a vital unbroken 45-run partnership with Jacob Bethell, stabilizing the innings by the end of the powerplay. However, the momentum shifted again when Phillips dismissed Brook for 26 with his first delivery, followed by a spectacular catch to remove Bethell (21), plunging England into further trouble.

Jacks emphasized the importance of maintaining clarity under pressure. “It’s about keeping it straightforward. Rehan Ahmed played a fantastic innings, and everyone who came in needed time to adapt to the slow pitch. That six off Glenn Phillips really altered the dynamics and applied pressure on them. From there, I aimed to build on that and adhere to our strategy.”

He shared that they had identified a specific phase to target. “We discussed taking a calculated risk during the 15th over and considered it our best matchup. For the other overs, we focused on finding gaps and running aggressively. It’s a large ground with a sluggish surface, so clearing the ropes wasn’t always feasible. The runs we accumulated in twos were extremely crucial.”

Earlier, New Zealand had set a score of 159/7 after being invited to bat, with a solid opening partnership from Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, complemented by Glenn Phillips’ counterattack. However, their innings was ultimately limited.

With 43 runs required off 18 balls, the game hung in the balance. Phillips faced a challenging over, conceding 22 runs, while Mitchell Santner also endured a tough outing, giving away 16 runs in the second-to-last over, which included a boundary and a six from Ahmed.

Henry, entrusted with the final over, was unable to prevent England from achieving victory.

“It’s been a fantastic night for me personally, but closing out the match like that is what every player dreams of,” Jacks remarked. On England's recent form, he added: “I feel incredibly confident and composed at the crease right now. That calmness likely contributes more than anything else. As a team, we’re moving in the right direction—three victories in the Super 8 against formidable teams, so we’re very pleased as we approach the semi-finals.”