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7 minutes ago
Jacob Bethell has “no pre-conceived ideas” about his captaincy style 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.
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.
His previous experience as captain has been with England Under-19s and Warwickshire’s second XI. He has never captained at full senior level.
When asked at a news conference what kind of captain he expected to be, an unfazed Bethell said: “A very young one. I’ve got no preconceived ideas of how I’m going to be.
“The main thing I’ve looked up to in captains I’ve had previously is how they manage people. Not every tactical decision you make is going to work, it’s about managing the boys well so they feel you’re backing them.”
While Bethell will become England’s youngest captain in an international, Alfred ‘Bunny’ Lucas remains their youngest skipper in any match.
He led what Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack called an “unrepresentative” England side in a three-day match against Gloucestershire aged just 20 in 1877.
‘Not thinking about Ashes’
It is just over a year since Bethell made his England debut against Australia in a T20 at the Utilita Bowl, and the all-rounder says it is “pretty cool” to be making his captaincy bow.
“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,” he said.
“It shows I’ve got a bit of backing in terms of me as a character, not just me as a cricketer. I’ve loved every minute so far.”
England’s squad for their much-anticipated Ashes tour of Australia, beginning in November, is due to be announced next week.
Bethell said he is fully focused on the task in hand amid suggestions England could pick him to bat at number three in place of Ollie Pope against the Aussies.
“My head’s firmly screwed on to this series, I’m not thinking too far ahead,” said Barbados-born Bethell.
“The squad’s not even selected for that yet so hopefully I’m going to be there.
“We’ve got a few things to do before then. Nothing’s been confirmed for the Ashes yet so I’ve not been thinking too much about it.”
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.
