Jacob Bethell takes the Birmingham Phoenix captaincy following his breakout century against the India T20 World Cup win squad.
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So, Jacob Bethell is taking the reins for the Birmingham Phoenix men this summer. It’s a massive move, especially since he’s still so young, but the guy is already breaking 136-year-old records.
He became England’s youngest-ever captain when he stepped in for Harry Brook in Ireland last year. He actually joked that the coaches just wanted to “chuck him in the deep end” to see if he’d float.
It turns out he didn’t just float; he swam. He’s been acting as a right-hand man for the national side in New Zealand and Sri Lanka lately, and he’s really found his rhythm.
He’s now the youngest player for England to hit a century in every single international format. We saw him crush a hundred against the Aussies and then another against India during that high-stakes T20 World Cup semi-final.
Even with all the global buzz surrounding India’s T20 World Cup win that followed, Bethell’s individual performance was the thing that made us sit up and take notice.
He’s like a rookie who was handed the keys to a Ferrari and actually knew how to drive it at 200 mph. I guess it’s a bit of a gamble to go this young for a captain, but he seems to roll with the punches.
Sometimes the “deep end” is exactly where a leader is born
The Phoenix clearly sees him as the future because they dropped £340,000 to sign him before the auction even started. He’s taking over from Liam Livingstone, who’s headed to London Spirit, so he has some big shoes to fill.
Plus, the new coach, Shane Bond, is already praising his tactical brain and how he stays cool under pressure. It’s a bit of a contradiction to be “young and inexperienced” while also being the most composed guy on the pitch.
world-class attack speaks louder
Over on the women’s side, we’re keeping things a bit steadier. Ellyse Perry is coming back for her third year as captain, and honestly, having her at Edgbaston is a huge win for us.
She’s working with coach Ali Maiden again to build a squad that’s fast, young, and exciting to watch. It’s a solid mix—the fresh, “nothing-to-lose” energy of Bethell paired with the seasoned brilliance of Perry.
You need a bit of old-school cool to balance out the new-blood fire.
Quick Quiz
| Question | Answer |
| Who did Jacob Bethell replace as the men’s captain for Birmingham Phoenix? | Liam Livingstone |
| How much was Bethell’s pre-signing fee for the franchise? | £340,000 |
| Who will lead the Birmingham Phoenix women’s team for a third season? | Ellyse Perry |