Will Jacks takes career-best ODI figures after appendix surgery

Will Jacks has described the recovery from appendix surgery that preceded his career-best 50-over bowling performance for England against Sri Lanka. According to BBC Sport, the all-rounder took 5-22 in Tuesday's first one-day international at Chester-le-Street, having returned to action slightly earlier than the initial four-week recovery period he had been given.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8eIO-sjPm4

Jacks captained England Lions against Sri Lanka in a warm-up match on 11 September before appearing in all three matches of England's T20 series sweep. He said he had resumed bowling only five days before his first game while rebuilding his fitness and strength. The shorter format helped him regain confidence because he could bowl no more than four overs in a match, and his limited workload in that series also helped.

The BBC reported that Jacks had undertaken additional work on his core strength to cope with the demands of his bowling action after the operation. His return produced the second-best figures by an England spinner in men's one-day internationals. He generated 4.3 degrees of turn at Chester-le-Street, his highest figure in a home ODI, although the slow surface assisted him.

His contribution was not confined to the ball. Jacks finished unbeaten on 46 as England reached 265 after being 211-7 in the 39th over. He struck just one boundary in his first 43 deliveries, adjusting his approach as wickets fell around him. Jacks said the difficult start to his innings prompted him to reassess a competitive total and concentrate on using the remaining overs.

The performance came with Jacks also serving as Harry Brook's vice-captain for the Sri Lanka series in Jacob Bethell's absence. BBC Sport reported that he had become more vocal within the squad. His responsibilities with the bat have changed too: he moved from opening to a middle-order finishing role in England's T20 and 50-over teams 18 months ago.

Jacks said the variety of situations he now encounters suits him, contrasting his current security in the side with the pressure he once felt to retain his place from match to match. For this innings, that meant accepting a slower scoring rate and supporting England's total before delivering his strongest 50-over bowling return.