Jacob Bethell is set to become England's youngest men's captain in an international match after being selected to lead the side in three Twenty20s in Ireland next month. The 21-year-old, who is on the Test fringes but already a white-ball mainstay, will captain England from 17-21 September in Dublin.
When he does so, Bethell will eclipse the existing record held by Monty Bowden, who was 23 years and 144 days old when he oversaw England in a Test against South Africa in Cape Town in 1888-89. National selector Luke Wright said: '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.'
Bethell has received his chance as Harry Brook takes a breather following the one-day and T20 series against South Africa from 2-14 September, the squads for which were also announced on Friday. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will step up as head coach in Ireland, with Brendon McCullum not making the trip.
The all-format quartet of Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have also been rested for the Ireland series, giving them a break in preparation for the Ashes later in the year. Fast bowlers Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson are not in any of the three squads as they focus on the Test series against Australia, which begins on 21 November in Perth.
Wood had knee surgery in March and missed all of the Test series against India. His competitive comeback may now not be until England's white-ball trip to New Zealand in October and November. Uncapped fast bowler Sonny Baker has been rewarded for a string of encouraging showings and has been included in the ODI squad to play South Africa and in the group to face Ireland.
Seamer Matthew Potts and slow left-armer Tom Hartley have been recalled for the brief visit to Ireland, but there is no recall for all-rounders Liam Livingstone or Sam Curran despite a number of absentees.
