England's youngest captains, full list: 21-year-old set to break 136-year record

Jacob Bethell named England captain for Ireland T20Is

The 21-year-old will lead England in three matches at Malahide in September, stepping up in place of Harry Brook. Bethell will be a month shy of his 22nd birthday when he leads England out onto the field in the first T20I, setting a new record as the youngest England captain in an international game, taking over at the top of the list from Monty Bowden, who was 23 years and 144 days old when he captained England against South Africa in 1989. The only players to have captained England at a younger age did so in matches against county XIs.

His promotion to lead comes as a result of several senior players missing the final international assignment of the summer. Test players, in addition to Brook, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse will not play in the series. They will, however, feature in the white ball series' against South Africa in early September. Jos Buttler, who resigned as England captain earlier this year following England's group stage Champions Trophy exit, is named in all three squads.

A sensational innings from Jacob Bethell 👏#JacobBethell #EngvWI pic.twitter.com/O3xsjy7Jdj

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) May 29, 2025

Being given temporary captaincy continues a remarkable rise for Bethell, who made his international debut last summer against Australia. The all-rounder played two T20Is against Australia before featuring in all five ODIs in the following 50-over series. He also played in England's series in the Caribbean last winter, starring with three half-centuries before he joined the Test squad in New Zealand.

Batting at No.3 after Jordan Cox was injured out of the series, Bethell sparkled with an eye-catching 50* on debut in New Zealand and a statement 96 in the second Test, and passed 50 once again in the third. However, with Jamie Smith back from paternity leave, Bethell's only opportunity since in the Test set-up came when Ben Stokes was injured for the final Test against India. He made two single-digit scores in The Oval Test match. Earlier in the summer, he hit 82 off 53 balls in an ODI against West Indies, winning the Player of the Match award in a dominant England win.

Speaking on Bethell's appointment as temporary captain, England Men Selector, Luke Wright, said: “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.”

Full list: England's youngest men's captains

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