Ahead of the 2026 season of The Hundred, Jacob Bethell has been named the men’s captain of Birmingham Phoenix. The appointment comes as the franchise begins preparations for the upcoming campaign and the player auction. In 2025, he became the youngest captain in the history of the England cricket team when he led the side in a T20I series against Ireland in the absence of injured Harry Brook.
His captaincy debut was successful as England secured a 2–0 series victory. Bethell will replace Liam Livingstone, who has moved to London Spirit ahead of the new season.
"I'm incredibly proud to be named captain of the Birmingham Phoenix. 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,” Bethell said on his appointment, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Speaking on Bethell's appointment, Birmingham Phoenix’s head coach Shane Bond lauded the youngster's maturity.
“Jacob is an outstanding young leader who has already shown maturity beyond his years. His experience captaining England last year demonstrated his tactical awareness and composure, as well as the ability to inspire those around him,” Bond said.