On Friday, August 15, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officially announced white-ball squads for the upcoming series against the South Africa National Cricket Team and the Ireland National Cricket Team.
The England National Cricket Team are all set to lock horns with the South Africa National Cricket Team in an ODI and T20I series before travelling to Ireland for T20I matches.
Jacob Bethell to become the youngest England Men’s captain
The three-match ODI series between England and South Africa will be played on September 2, 4, and 7, followed by three T20I games on September 10, 12, and 14.
After that, a young English team will travel to Ireland for a three-match T20I series in Dublin on September 17, 19, and 21.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Jacob Bethell has been appointed as the captain for the series against the Irish team, and at the age of 21, he is set to become the youngest-ever England Men’s captain in international cricket history.
Also, the Hampshire pacer Sonny Baker has received his maiden England call-up after his impressive performances for England Lions and during the Vitality Blast and The Hundred
Pacer Mark Wood has not been included in the white-ball squads as he continues his recovery after a knee surgery, and speedster Gus Atkinson has also been rested. The young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been recalled after his impressive performances, and Phil Salt has made a T20I comeback as well.
Notably, full-strength squads have been named for the matches against South Africa, while the all-format players, barring Jacob Bethell, have been rested for the Ireland series, where Marcus Trescothick will do head coach duties, replacing Brendon McCullum.
Jacob Bethell has impressed with his leadership qualities – Luke Wright
In an official statement released by the ECB, selector Luke Wright said that Jacob Bethell has got good leadership qualities and Sonny Baker deserved a call-up after his consistent performances. He said:
“Jacob Bethell has impressed with his leadership qualities ever since he has been with the England squads and the series against Ireland will provide him with the opportunity to further develop those skills on the international stage.
“Sonny is a player we have identified for a while and he was impressive during the England Lions tours last winter. He has carried that form into this season in white-ball cricket with Hampshire and Manchester Originals and deservedly gets his opportunity.”
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England ODI, T20I squads for South Africa, Ireland series
England ODI squad for South Africa: Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk).
England T20I squad for South Africa: Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith (wk), Luke Wood.
England T20I squad for Ireland: Jacob Bethell (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler (wk), Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt (wk), Luke Wood.
