T20 World Cup 2024: IPL was ‘perfect preparation’ for England’s defence, says Will Jacks

England all-rounder Will Jacks says his experience playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been “perfect preparation” for the T20 World Cup.

Jacks, 25, is set to feature in his first global tournament for England off the back of making his debut in the IPL, which is widely considered the best franchise league in the world.

He played eight times for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and hit an unbeaten 41-ball century in a winning run chase against Gujarat Titans as his side recovered from a poor start to reach the play-offs.

Jacks left the tournament early to join England, whose preparation for the T20 World Cup is limited.

They have only played 13 T20s since winning the tournament in Australia in November 2022.

They are in the middle of a four-match series against Pakistan but the opening game was rained off, while Tuesday’s match in Cardiff may also be affected by bad weather.

“It [the IPL] was perfect preparation,” Jacks, who made his 12th England T20 appearance in Saturday’s 27-run win, told BBC Sport.

“It was amazing. I think everything that happens there with the crowd, the atmosphere, obviously the attention, it was completely different to anything I’ve experienced before but it felt great preparation.

“Going into that game at Edgbaston [on Saturday], I didn’t feel really nervous to be honest. Obviously 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.”