England’s rising star and RCB player Jacob Bethell is set to take another significant step in his rapidly growing leadership journey after being named the men’s captain of Birmingham Phoenix for the upcoming season of The Hundred.
The appointment continues Jacob Bethell’s remarkable rise in international and franchise cricket. Last September, the 22-year-old made history when he became England’s youngest-ever men’s captain, breaking a 136-year record as he led the England national cricket team to a 2-0 T20I series win over the Ireland national cricket team while standing in for the rested Harry Brook.
At the time, the decision surprised many given Jacob Bethell’s age, though the youngster later joked that England had decided to “chuck me in the deep end.” Despite that, he had already built leadership credentials from his time captaining England’s Under-19 side.
Since then, Bethell’s stature within the England white-ball setup has grown considerably. Over the winter, he served as Brook’s deputy during England’s series in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, as well as during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
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Jacob Bethell's performances on the field have matched his leadership growth. He played a crucial role in England’s campaign at the T20 World Cup, delivering a memorable century against the India national cricket team in the semi-final, a knock that underlined his big-match temperament, even under high pressure.
The youngster became the youngest England player to score international centuries in all three formats after landmark hundred against Australia in the fifth Test of The Ashes and century against South Africa in ODIs last year.
Jacob Bethell’s rise has not been limited to international cricket. In franchise cricket, he has emerged as an exciting all-round option for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, where his aggressive batting and handy spin have made him a valuable member of the squad.
Jacob Bethell feels 'proud' after named Birmingham Phoenix captain
Ahead of the upcoming auction, Birmingham Phoenix secured Jacob Bethell as a £340,000 pre-signing and confirmed on Monday that he will succeed Liam Livingstone as captain following the veteran's move to London Spirit.
“I’m incredibly proud to be named captain of Birmingham Phoenix,” Bethell said. “Leading this team is a huge honour, and it’s an opportunity I’m ready for, especially after the experience of captaining England last year. That responsibility taught me a lot about my own leadership and how to bring the best out of a group.”
New Phoenix men’s head coach Shane Bond, who recently replaced Daniel Vettori, backed the decision and praised Bethell’s maturity.
“Jacob is an outstanding young leader who has already shown maturity beyond his years. His experience captaining England demonstrated his tactical awareness, composure and ability to inspire those around him,” Bond said.
With leadership responsibilities expanding across formats and competitions, Jacob Bethell’s appointment signals yet another milestone in what is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young careers in world cricket.
Meanwhile, the franchise also confirmed continuity in their women’s setup, with Ellyse Perry set to continue as captain of the Phoenix women’s team for a third consecutive season under head coach Ali Maiden.
