Malahide: Jacob Bethell says he will “learn on the job” as he prepares to become the youngest England skipper for a men’s international match. The 21-year-old will lead an under-strength England side in the first of three T20 internationals against Ireland at Malahide on Wednesday. Regular white-ball captain Harry Brook and England’s other all-format players have been rested for the matches.
According to BBC, Bethell will eclipse a record held since 1889, when Monty Bowden captained England aged 23 years and 144 days old in a Test against South Africa. The young all-rounder acknowledged it was “not on his radar” to break the record but considered it a “cool stat to have.” Bethell expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “To lead the side is going to be really special. I can learn on the job without too many preconceived ideas.”
Bethell will become England’s youngest captain in an international match, although Alfred Bunny Lucas remains their youngest skipper in any match, leading an “unrepresentative” England side in a three-day match against Gloucestershire at the age of 20 in 1877. Bethell, reflecting on his journey, remarked, “Looking on a year from then, I’m pretty proud of what I’ve done in a year and pleased I’ve been given this opportunity.”
As England’s squad for their much-anticipated Ashes tour of Australia, beginning in November, is due to be announced next week, Bethell remains focused on the present series against Ireland. Despite suggestions that England could pick him to bat at number three in place of Ollie Pope for the Ashes, Bethell stated, “My head’s firmly screwed on to this series, I’m not thinking too far ahead.”
In Bethell’s debut year, he made his England debut against Australia in a T20 at the Utilita Bowl, and he finds it “pretty cool” to be making his captaincy bow a year on. Engaging with his team, he mentioned, “The boys have been very welcoming and offering advice.” As for the upcoming matches, batter Jordan Cox is set to replace Brook in the middle order against Ireland, while one of Sonny Baker or Scott Currie will take Jofra Archer’s place in the bowling attack.