![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/sport\/sport-135x135.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Will Jacks might be one of the figures charged with leading England\u2019s ODI revival but he discovered he had missed out on a central contract through social media.<\/p>\n
A total of 29 individuals received an annual, multi-year or developmental England deal in October but despite playing in every international format in the last 12 months, Jacks was curiously absent from the bunch.<\/p>\n
Even more striking is Jacks\u2019 admission that he was not forewarned by director of men\u2019s cricket Rob Key ahead of an announcement, the timing of which midway through a faltering World Cup was criticised.<\/p>\n
Jacks has since had some feedback about the snub but the big-hitting all-rounder takes the positives from not being tied down and is likely to explore the lucrative T20 franchise market in the next few months.<\/p>\n
Representing England remains his top priority, though, and he has been tasked with opening the batting alongside Phil Salt, who also did not get a central contract, as Jos Buttler\u2019s ODI side look to draw a line under a woeful World Cup in the series opener against the West Indies on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bit of a difficult one, I didn\u2019t really find out at all,\u201d he said. \u201cI knew everyone was hearing and I was waiting, hoping I would find out and then I didn\u2019t. I ended up seeing it on Twitter like everyone else did and that was obviously disappointing.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe it came one or two tours early and maybe if I\u2019d played a little bit more, maybe I would have had one. They said it is always about why other people have one above me which is understandable, nothing really negative about me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just what it is and I just want to move on. You never know, it could work in my favour. It means I\u2019m free to plan my winter and my life but I will be using this tour and hopefully the rest of the year to prove my case to hopefully get one for next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacks has made a dozen appearances in his embryonic international career but his fearless approach with the bat and ever-improving off-spin make him an appealing option for England\u2019s next Test assignment in India in the new year.<\/p>\n
But Jacks has committed himself to the SA20 \u2013 South Africa\u2019s domestic T20 competition \u2013 which clashes with the five-match series on the subcontinent.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously England is the pinnacle and I want to play as much as I can but what (not getting a contract) has done is it\u2019s almost managed my expectations,\u201d Jacks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe India Test matches have obviously been in the back of everyone\u2019s mind for the recent period \u2013 such a massive series and there\u2019s all the talk about spin and the need for all-rounders and having a deep squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of me thinking that I was going to be picked, I\u2019m now thinking \u2018if they wanted to pick me then realistically, I would have been given a contract\u2019. The fact that they haven\u2019t given me one probably says something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacks is set to be in India at some point early in 2024, having been one of nine Englishmen retained by their Indian Premier League franchises, despite a thigh injury ruling him out of contention for Royal Challengers Bangalore last year.<\/p>\n
Having missed out on England\u2019s miserable defence of their 50-over World Cup, Jacks is desperate to be involved in the T20 equivalent in the Caribbean in June.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old is therefore eager to take his chance on a reconnaissance job in these three ODIs followed by three T20s.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to play some cricket,\u201d he added. \u201cI love playing for England but if I\u2019m not selected then I\u2019m very happy playing T20 cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a World Cup coming up in June here so it will be good to get used to these conditions and that\u2019s a priority for me.\u201d<\/p>\n