Well, if you were looking for a quiet squad announcement, this certainly wasn't it. England has just dropped its white-ball squads for the upcoming series against South Africa and Ireland, and there are some genuine shockers in there. The headline news, without a doubt, is that 21-year-old all-rounder Jacob Bethell will lead an understrength T20 side in Dublin, making him the youngest man to ever captain England in international cricket. It's a massive show of faith in a young talent, and it’s got everyone talking.
Key Highlights
- ✓ All-rounder Jacob Bethell is set to become the youngest man to captain England in international cricket at just 21 years old.
- ✓ Hampshire bowler Sonny Baker receives his first-ever senior England call-up for two upcoming white-ball series.
- ✓ Regular white-ball captain Harry Brook will lead against South Africa but will be rested for the subsequent Ireland tour.
- ✓ Fast bowler Mark Wood remains sidelined with a knee injury, raising concerns about his availability for the winter Ashes.
- ✓ Centrally contracted players Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone are notably absent from all announced squads.
A Captaincy for the History Books
Let's just let that sink in for a moment. At 21, Bethell is about to break a record that has stood since 1889. The previous youngest captain was Monty Bowden, who was 23 years and 144 days old when he led a Test side against South Africa way back when. It’s an incredible piece of history, and you can tell from his reaction that it's still dawning on him.
"It was obviously a great news to hear," Bethell told BBC Sport just hours after the announcement. "The feeling was that of pride at first. It's not really sunk in yet." He's set to lead the side for three T20s in Dublin this September, a series where England is resting many of its all-format stars, including regular skipper Harry Brook. It's a huge honour, and Bethell seems ready to step up to the challenge.
What makes this even more remarkable is Bethell's limited experience at this level. While he has captained the England Under-19s and Warwickshire's second XI, he has never led a team at the full senior level. England Men Selector, Luke Wright, clearly sees something special, stating that "Jacob has impressed with his leadership qualities ever since he has been with the England squads." This tour is being framed as an opportunity for him to develop those skills on the international stage. It's a massive gamble, but one that could pay off handsomely.
The New Face in the Fast Lane
While Bethell's news rightfully grabs the headlines, another exciting development is the first-ever call-up for Hampshire quick Sonny Baker. He's been brought into the ODI squad for the South Africa series and will also travel for the T20s in Ireland. If you've been watching The Hundred, you'll know why the selectors are so keen.
Baker has been seriously impressive, bowling with lively pace—reportedly around 90mph—and has caught the eye playing for Manchester Originals, where he took four wickets in four matches. His form isn't a flash in the pan, either. He impressed with the England Lions over the winter, which led to an England development contract. Luke Wright noted, "Sonny is a player we have identified for a while... He has carried that form into this season... and deservedly gets his opportunity." It's always great to see a young player's consistent domestic form rewarded with a national call-up.
Bethell's Puzzling Summer
Coming back to Bethell, his summer has been a bit of a whirlwind, making his captaincy nod even more intriguing. His season has been very stop-start. He missed the one-off Test against Zimbabwe because he was at the Indian Premier League, then played a few white-ball games against the West Indies. After that, he was an unused member of the squad for the first four Tests against India.
When he finally got a chance in the fifth Test due to an injury to Ben Stokes, he hadn't played much red-ball cricket and returned scores of just six and five. His form in The Hundred was also patchy until he hit a timely 48 against Northern Superchargers. There was even an argument that he should have spent September playing County Championship matches for Warwickshire to prepare for the upcoming Ashes tour. Instead, he’ll be leading his country, heading into that crucial winter series with only 25 first-class matches under his belt. It’s a fascinating choice.
The Broader Picture: Squad Shake-Ups and Worries
So, what does the rest of the setup look like? Before the Ireland trip, England faces a full-strength challenge against South Africa with three ODIs and three T20s. Harry Brook will captain those squads, which feature familiar faces like Jos Buttler, Joe Root, and the returning Jofra Archer. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who has had a brilliant summer, is deservedly recalled to all three squads, while Phil Salt also returns after paternity leave.
However, the omissions are just as telling. The biggest concern is the continued absence of express pace bowler Mark Wood. He hasn't played since February after knee surgery, and his recovery is taking longer than expected. Given how crucial he is to England's hopes for the Ashes, his prolonged absence is a major worry. England says they're prioritizing his winter schedule, but it's not the news fans wanted to hear.
Then there's the curious case of Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone. Both hold central contracts, yet neither has found a place in any of the three squads. Even in the understrength T20 side heading to Ireland—where Brook, Archer, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, and Jamie Smith are all being rested—there's still no room for them. It’s a puzzling situation that leaves you wondering about their current standing with the selectors.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that these squad announcements have given us plenty to chew on. The decision to make Jacob Bethell captain is a bold, exciting, and history-making move that shows England is not afraid to back its young talent. Meanwhile, the emergence of Sonny Baker adds a fresh, fiery option to the bowling stocks, which is always welcome news.
At the same time, the lingering questions around the fitness of Mark Wood and the exclusion of established names like Curran and Livingstone cast a slight shadow. This is a fascinating glimpse into England’s forward-thinking strategy, blending youthful exuberance with some calculated risks as they build towards the future. The upcoming series, particularly the one in Ireland, will be one to watch very closely.
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