Ireland vs England: Jacob Bethell has ‘no pre-conceived ideas’ over skippering England as 21-year-old prepares to break age record for captain

Jacob Bethell says he will “learn on the job” 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.His previous experience as captain has been with England Under-19s and Warwickshire’s second XI. He has never captained at full senior level.”I will be very chilled out, try to let everyone relax and let the talent take over,” an unfazed Bethell told BBC Sport.”Obviously it’s only a short-term job standing in for Harry Brook so I’ll look to reiterate the messages he’s trying to take forward with this time.”To lead the side is going to be really special. I can learn on the job without too many preconceived ideas.”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.The young all-rounder acknowledged it was “not on his radar” to break the record but it was a “cool stat to have”.”It [captaincy] is something new to me but I prefer it that way. The boys have been very welcoming and offering advice,” he added.”It is an incredible opportunity and something I will look back on in the future.”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.



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