Jacob Bethell will captain England’s T20 side in Ireland, becoming the youngest to lead the team in international cricket.
Jacob Bethell has been asked to do something no one this young has done before for England. At 21, he will lead a makeshift T20 squad to Ireland in September, making him the youngest man to captain England in international cricket.
The regular leaders are being rested, including Harry Brook, who takes charge of the South Africa series instead. That opened the door for Bethell. He admits the news has not yet sunk in. “It was obviously great to hear,” he told the BBC, before adding that it felt more like pride than anything else. Pride and a bit of shock.
The previous record-holder was Monty Bowden, who captained England in a Test way back in 1889 at 23 years and 144 days. That number will be beaten when Bethell walks out in Dublin. England say it is a reward for the way he has carried himself since the Under-19s and Warwickshire’s second XI, even if he has never captained a senior side before. Selector Luke Wright put it simply: this was a chance for Bethell to grow into the role.
England’s squads for September are split. Brook leads against South Africa, with Jofra Archer and Rehan Ahmed both back. Sonny Baker, quick and raw, gets his first call-up after making waves in The Hundred. Mark Wood is missing again, his knee still not right. That absence hangs heavy.
Bethell’s own year has been uneven. IPL, then a stop-start run of internationals, then county cricket mostly from the sidelines. He has had flashes — fifties in each of his first three Tests last year, 48 in The Hundred last week — but little sustained rhythm. That makes this leap of faith all the more striking.
England face South Africa first in ODIs and T20s before heading to Ireland. Malahide will be where Bethell starts his captaincy. Small ground, heavy air. Big job.
