WARWICKSHIRE all-rounder Jacob Bethell will become England’s youngest men’s captain in international cricket next month.
The 21-year-old will lead an understrength England squad on a tour of Ireland in September.
He will replace Monty Bowden as England’s youngest men’s captain in international cricket.
Bowden was 23 years and 144 days old when he captained England in a Test match against South Africa in 1889.
With white-ball captain Harry Brook rested, Bethell will take on the leadership role for the tour.
Bethell told Sky Sports Cricket: “The first emotion that comes is pride.
“Captaining England is obviously going to be an honour and I can’t wait to do it.
“It’ll be a good challenge, I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ve done a lot of captaincy growing up in terms of under-19s and age group things.
“It’ll be different captaining England obviously but I like to think I read the game pretty well.
“I’ll be looking to take what I do with my own game and apply it to captaincy.
“A big thing I’ve noticed with Ben Stokes is that he leads with actions.
“He’s always the guy who takes the situation on himself.
“I’ll be looking to do that as much as possible with bat and ball.
“The biggest thing is trying to lead by example.”
England will play Ireland in three T20 matches in Malahide, Dublin.
Games will take place on September 17, September 19 and September 21.
Bethell has also earned a place in England’s squad for three ODI and three T20 matches against South Africa.
The ODIs and T20 games will take place earlier in September.
England men selector, Luke Wright added: “Jacob Bethell has impressed with his leadership qualities ever since he has been with the England squads.
“The series against Ireland will provide him with the opportunity to further develop those skills on the international stage.”
England’s T20 squad for tour of 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.
