England have named 21-year-old Jacob Bethell as captain for their T20I tour of Ireland next month. Bethell, who will be leading the senior side for the first time, is set to become England’s youngest international captain — breaking a record that has stood since Monty Bowden captained the side during the 1888/89 tour.
Before departing for Dublin for the three-match T20I series starting September 17, England will host South Africa for three ODIs (from September 7) followed by three T20Is. Harry Brook will captain England in both home series. The all-format Test players — apart from Bethell — have been rested for the Ireland leg, with Marcus Trescothick stepping in as interim head coach.
Fast bowler Sonny Baker, 22, has earned his maiden England call-up and features in both the ODI squad to face South Africa and the T20I squad for Ireland. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who has enhanced his batting credentials during the domestic season, returns to both white-ball squads having last featured in ODIs in 2023 and T20Is in 2024. Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley has also been called up to the T20I side for Ireland.
“Jacob Bethell has impressed with his leadership qualities ever since joining England squads, and the series against Ireland will give him a valuable opportunity to develop those skills on the international stage,” said England Men’s Selector Luke Wright. Speaking on Baker’s selection, Wright added: “Sonny has been on our radar for a while and impressed 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 fully deserves this opportunity.”
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
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
