Jacob Bethell to Become England Men's Youngest-Ever Captain During Ireland T20Is; Sonny Baker Earns Maiden Call-Up

In a historic move, Jacob Bethell is set to become the youngest-ever captain of the England Men's team when he leads the side during their upcoming T20I series against Ireland. At just 21 years old, Bethell will surpass Monty Bowden's long-standing record, who captained England at the age of 23 years and 144 days in 1889.

Bethell will take charge in the absence of regular skipper Harry Brook, who will be rested for the three-match series in Malahide as part of a broader workload management strategy. Joining Brook on the sidelines are fellow all-format players Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, and Jamie Smith. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will step in for Brendon McCullum as head coach for the tour.

Bethell’s leadership credentials have impressed England’s selectors, with Luke Wright, England Men's selector, stating:

“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.”

Meanwhile, 21-year-old fast bowler Sonny Baker has earned his first England call-up, named in both the ODI squad to face South Africa and the T20I squad to tour Ireland. Baker, who bowls consistently around 90mph, has impressed for Hampshire and the Manchester Originals in The Hundred this summer, following a strong showing with the England Lions during the winter.

“Sonny is a player we have identified for a while,” said Wright. “He has carried his form into this season and deservedly gets his opportunity.”

Baker joins an ODI squad largely unchanged from the side that swept the West Indies 3–0 earlier in the summer in Harry Brook’s debut series as white-ball captain. Gus Atkinson, Luke Wood, and Tom Hartley are the only omissions from that squad, though Wood and Hartley remain involved in the T20I plans.

Rehan Ahmed, who has had a prolific summer with the bat, returns to the ODI setup and features in all three squads across the formats. Matthew Potts and Tom Hartley also make the trip to Ireland as part of the T20I group.

England Men's Squads

ODI squad vs South Africa:
Harry Brook (capt), 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

T20I squad vs South Africa:
Harry Brook (capt), 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

T20I squad vs Ireland:
Jacob Bethell (capt), 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

The series against South Africa — comprising three ODIs and three T20Is — will conclude England's 2025 home season before the squad departs for Ireland.