Kia Oval Talking Points: The extraordinary Will Jacks strikes again

The Cricketer looks at the main talking points from the Men's T20 Blast match between Surrey and Middlesex at the Kia Oval

jacksw200601

Movement That Inspires play of the day

Of Will Jacks' five sixes, one was flicked behind square using the pace on the ball, another was slammed over deep backward square, and two more were slammed down the ground.

But the highlight was a shot which appeared to defy the laws of physics.

Naavya Sharma, a night on from his T20 debut, endured a bit of a torrid evening. But he could do nothing about a short ball which he banged in attempting to push back the rampaging Jacks.

Jacks stepped back and unleashed a crunching drive over deep extra cover, which flew over the boundary to take him within three of what would eventually be his 36th T20 half-century.

"That is such a good shot, that is an outstanding shot from Will Jacks," said Dominic Cork on Sky Sports.

The England allrounder motored through the second half of his innings and appeared destined for three figures - it would have been the fifth time in the format he'd reached the landmark - but it took some brilliant bowling from Tom Helm, the hero from the vistory over Essex, to get Jacks caught short of the long on boundary.

Related: Middlesex look forward with Dane Vilas after laying three-year Lord's drought to rest

higginsr200601

Ryan Higgins was excellent with the ball for the visitors, but lacked consistent support (Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Take The Lead, Drive Electric moment of the day

Sharma was playing the second T20 of his career, 24 hours on from his first, and it would be fair to say it didn't go quite like the first.

There was a regrettable moment in the powerplay when Dom Sibley's attempted flick over fine leg looped up in the air and the 19-year-old circled under the ball, but put it down.

It came as his three wicketless overs went for 39, with the aforementioned Jacks taking a particular liking to him.

Upon putting down that chance - Sidley was later dismissed for 27 - Middlesex got around the teenager, picked him up and urged him to go again.

"It's hard to do it during the game, but he is 19, he has an incredibly old head on young shoulders," said Helm. "Everyone has been incredibly impressed with how he has dealt with the last few nights.

"There have been big crowds, and he's not played in front of them before. Tonight, against a good side on a pretty good wicket, he did a good job."

Related: Ollie Sykes comes of age in Blast to down injury-hit Sussex

surreycele200601

Victory gave Surrey their fifth Blast win in a row (Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for Surrey CCC)

Concussion confusion

Cricket woke up to the danger of concussions in 2019 when rules allowing substitutes for players suffering from symptoms were introduced.

But they aren't perfect.

Via the fourth ball of the fourth over, Chris Jordan took a nasty fall attempting a one-handed catch to try and dismiss Kane Williamson off Tom Curran, landing on his back before the back of his head struck the ground.

Physio Paul Steele immediately made his way onto the outfield to treat Jordan, but following a conversation with umpire Ben Debenham, left the field alone.

Second-impact syndrome, when an individual experiences a second head injury without having fully recovered from the first, can cause long-term damage.

So it wasn't hugely surprising when, in the next over, Jordan was eventually removed after an intervention from the other umpire James Middlebrook and captain Sam Curran, who beckoned his seamer off the field.

Only a couple of deliveries passed between the initial blow and Jordan being finally removed, and we can be thankful that the worst didn't occur.

Jordan Clark would later come on as a substitute, though the change in personnel made little difference in terms of the outcome.

This report was brought to you in association with Kia – to find out more about why Kia is a leader in electrification, visit www.kia.com

whatsapp-wsb


Related Topics

Comments

No comments received yet - Be the first!

KIA OVAL LATEST

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.