England have announced Jacob Bethell as their captain for their three-match T20I series against Ireland in Dublin next month. The 21-year-old all-rounder is hence the youngest ever captain England have had across formats, a record that has stood for about 136 years.
The reason for him being elevated to this position is the absence of regular skipper Harry Brook, who will be captaining England in the ODIs and T20Is they will be hosting against South Africa earlier in the month. The T20I series in Ireland will be played at Malahide in Dublin September 17, 19 and 21. South Africa’s three-match ODI series in England will be played from September 2 to 7, followed by a three-match T20I series from September 10 to 14.
Regardless, the elevation marks a rapid rise for Bethell, who made his debuts for England in all three formats only last year. The previous youngest England captain was Monty Bowden, who was 23 in 1889 when he took charge for a Test in South Africa after regular skipper Aubrey Smith fell ill with fever. Former captain Jos Buttler will be among the players Bethell will be leading in Ireland.
“Jacob Bethell has impressed with his leadership qualities ever since he has been with the England squads, and the series against Ireland will provide him with the opportunity to further develop those skills on the international stage,” England men’s selector Luke Wright said in a statement on Friday.
Fast bowler Sonny Baker has been given a maiden call-up in the squad that faces South Africa. Brydon Carse, who had skipped The Hundred to manage his workload, has beein included among the fast bowling options along with Jofra Archer, Baker, Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmood. Archer had made his return to Test cricket in the recently-concluded five-match series against India. Rehan Ahmed, who has made waves with his bowling and batting, has also been called up for all three series.
England ODI squad for South Africa: Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk).
England T20 squad for South Africa: Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith (wk), Luke Wood.
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England T20 squad for Ireland: Jacob Bethell (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler (wk), Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt (wk), Luke Wood.
