Will Jacks smashed England's fastest half-century in a men's T20 World Cup against Italy today (February 16), surpassing Eoin Morgan's 14-year record.
The all-rounder came in when England were struggled at 105-5 in the 13th over. Before Jacks came in, Tom Banton had continued where he left off from his superb innings against Scotland two days ago, before he smashed a drag down from Crishan Kalugamage to deep midwicket. Having lost to West Indies, England needed to win the match to prevent their Super Eight place coming under threat from a late challenge by Scotland or Italy.
Match 29, England vs Italy
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Jacks quickly went about seeing off that threat. He hit his first boundary of the innings with a toe-ended cut off Jaspreet Singh, before unleashing against Ben Manenti. He hit three consecutive boundaries, including two sixes, off Manenti, reaching 30* off 12 balls. He began the final over of England's innings on 40* and hit a six off the firs ball to close in on a half-centuries.
Having taken a single off the second ball of the final over, he took a single to bring Jamie Overton on strike. After Overton was dismissed, Jofra Archer managed to get Jacks back on strike for the final two deliveries of the innings. Jacks hit the penultimate ball for sixes, reaching his half-century off just 21 balls. He missed the final ball of the over, finishing with a dot – only the second in his innings.
Full list: Fastest half-centuries by England players in men's T20 World Cups
Jacks' innings was the fastest for England in a men's T20 World Cup. Eoin Morgan previous held the record, which he set in 2012 against West Indies. Jos Buttler equalled Morgan's record in 2021, in England's group stage victory over Australia.
However, Jacks was still well short of the overall record for the fastest half-century in the competition. That record belongs to Yuvraj Singh, who set his 12-ball record in the same match that he hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in the same over.
| Player | Balls taken | Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
| Will Jacks | 21 | 53* | Italy | Eden Gardens | 2026 |
| Eoin Morgan | 25 | 71* | West Indies | Pallekele | 2012 |
| Jos Buttler | 25 | 71* | Australia | Dubai | 2021 |
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