Sonny Baker wins first England call-up, Jacob Bethell to captain in Ireland
Bethell set to become England Men's youngest-ever captain during Ireland T20Is
ESPNcricinfo staff
15-Aug-2025 • 2 hrs ago

Sonny Baker has caught the eye of the England selectors • Getty Images
Sonny Baker has won his maiden England call-up for the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa, while Jacob Bethell's rapid rise continues after he was named captain of the T20I side to tour Ireland immediately after.
Bethell is set to become England's youngest men's captain when he deputises for Harry Brook in three T20Is. Still only 21, Bethell will beat the mark currently held by Monty Bowden, who was 23 and 144 days when he led England against South Africa at Cape Town on the Test tour of 1888-89.
South Africa will arrive to play three ODIs and three T20Is next month, which will conclude England's home season. Brook will then sit out the three-match trip to Ireland, along with four other all-format players - Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith - as part of workload management. Marcus Trescothick will also take the reins from Brendon McCullum for the games in Malahide.
Baker impressed with England Lions over the winter, which led to him being awarded an England development contract. Capable of bowling around the 90mph, he has caught the eye with Hampshire and Manchester Originals this summer.
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He joins an ODI squad that is largely unchanged from the group that beat West Indies 3-0 in Brook's first series as permanent white-ball captain earlier in the summer. Gus Atkinson, Luke Wood and Tom Hartley drop out, though Wood is included in both T20I squads and Hartley will travel to Ireland. Atkinson will likely build up his red-ball loads ahead of the winter's Ashes.
Rehan Ahmed returns to the ODI group and is included in all three squads after a prolific summer with the bat. Baker is also in the Ireland T20I squad, alongside Hartley and Matthew Potts.
"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," England men's selector, Luke Wright, said.
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"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."
England ODI squad to face South Africa: Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith
England T20I squad to face South Africa: Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood
England T20I squad to face Ireland: Jacob Bethell (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood