RCB coach Andy Flower rues absence of big-hitter Will Jacks

Andy Flower

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were the first team to miss the absence of a key player - Will Jacks - when they were eliminated by the Rajasthan Royals at the first knockout hurdle on Wednesday night.

Despite a slight stutter in the middle overs, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) chased down the victory target of 173 in a four-wicket win over RCB at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium with an over to spare. At the same venue, Jacks had unleashed an insane six-hitting barrage within the space of six minutes last month in a crucial phoenix-like rising for the RCB. Jacks's 41-ball century against Gujarat Titans, had improved their all-important net run rate so much that they were better than all four Playoff qualifiers. Jacks, however, was not available for RCB in the Eliminator after being called back to England to prepare for the T20 World Cup, starting on June 2.

RCB head coach Andy Flower admitted that they sorely missed Jacks. "It is a bit of a problem that the cricket world and the cricket calendar have at the moment," Flower said in reply to a question by mid-day after RCB's exit on Wednesday night. "I think competitions have to be careful about that because the integrity of the competition is really important. So, there are conundrums for the game that have to be ironed out. I'm not sure how, given the busy calendar at the moment. At the moment, that's something I can't control, so we just try to make the best of it. Jacks really hit his straps with us. We enjoyed his power at No. 3, and it was a pity not to have him," he added," he added.