“Captaining England is obviously going to be an honour” – Bethell to lead vs Ireland

Overview

• Jacob Bethell is set to make history as England’s youngest international captain.
• He will lead the team in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland.
• The series is scheduled from September 17 to 21, 2025.

Jacob Bethell is set to make history as England’s youngest international captain. The 21-year-old will lead the team in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland, scheduled from September 17 to 21.

England Men’s Selector Luke Wright praised Bethell’s leadership and explained the decision. “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,” Wright said.

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Bethell, who is currently playing for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, spoke to Sky Sports after the announcement. He admitted it was a proud and emotional day for him. “(It's been) quite a day. Finding out, the first emotion that comes is pride. Captaining England is obviously going to be an honour and I can't wait to do it,” Bethell said.

"I like to think that I read the game pretty well" - Bethell

“I've done quite a lot of captaincy growing up, in terms of kind of U19 stuff and age group things, but it will be different, captaining England, obviously. I like to think that I read the game pretty well, so I'll just be looking to take what I do with my own game and just apply that to captaincy,” he added.

Meanwhile, England have also announced their squads for both the home T20I series and the home ODI series against South Africa (from September 2 to 14). One of the notable inclusions is 22-year-old Sonny Baker. The young pacer has been rewarded with a spot for the Ireland T20Is and South Africa ODIs.

Selector Luke Wright spoke highly of him as well. “Sonny (Baker) is a player we have identified for a while and he was impressive during the England Lions tours last winter. He has carried that form into this season in white-ball cricket with Hampshire and Manchester Originals and deservedly gets his opportunity,” Wright concluded.

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England squad for T20Is in Ireland: Jacob Bethell (C), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood

England squad for ODIs v South Africa: Harry Brook (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith

England squad for T20Is v South Africa: Harry Brook (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood