Jacob Bethell was handed the captaincy for England’s T20I series against Ireland in mid-September. That is big news since he is only 21, which would make him the youngest-ever captain across formats, a record that has stood for about 136 years. This is a massive achievement, but it could potentially be an issue that negatively affects his career.

Too much pressure for a 21-year-old

Bethell is a highly rated prospect, as many see him as a talented batter. It seems like he is also a gifted leader, as the national team setup sees him as worthy of being a captain. Unfortunately, this could be too early, as he would become the youngest captain in history.

That could be an issue for some people, as they do not rate his ascent. He will be the youngest captain in the team’s history, which led to critics pointing out some of their worries. This includes former England captain Michael Atherton, who is not a fan of the decision.

Atherton said in The Times, ‘The captaincy is a red herring, though. Ben Stokes and Harry Brook are going nowhere and if this experience is part of long-term planning, then fair enough �?although they have to be careful that Bethell doesn’t start to wonder what he has done to deserve the keys to the entire kingdom�?

The concerns behind his lack of experience

A big concern that people have is Bethell’s lack of experience playing at the highest level of cricket. Compared to his England teammates, he does not have the experience of playing against the best teams in the world. 

People are also concerned about the pressure he is under, as leadership is a heavy role. It is an honour, but it could also be a burden. As a former captain, Atherton’s thoughts on the situation matter as he has experience within the same role.

At the age of 21, Bethell already has a bright future. However, the captaincy role might become a burden too heavy to carry. He is ready for his new role as captain. While it may seem concerning, he appears prepared for the new challenges.

England still has many top captains

With leaders like Ben Stokes and Harry Brook still available, many people found it peculiar that Bethell is the choice. This could mean England is building towards the future, as they need a readymade leader like Bethell moving forward.

This will be a huge challenge, but the English decision-makers are committed to giving Bethell an opportunity as a leader. He has the talent to become a top player, but his leadership will be tested, especially with a team filled with older players.

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England’s all-rounder Jamie Smith opened the batting for the team’s first ODI game against West Indies on Thursday, May 29, at Birmingham. This marked his second ODI match, with his first dating back to 2023. 

Smith’s selection comes as England looks to test new talent at the top order. He has performed well with his form in domestic games, thanks to his steady batting and quick scoring. His role as opener is key in setting the tone early in the innings.

The match also marked a big moment for batter Harry Brook. He is leading the team for the first time in an ODI after Jos Buttler stepped down from the role earlier this year. His captaincy debut is also seen as a fresh step in England’s white-ball plans.

The squad’s six-match ODI series against West Indies is set until Tuesday, June 10 in Southampton, England.

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After Jos Buttler left his captaincy for England’s white-ball cricket team, Harry Brook has taken over as the new skipper for One-Day International and T20I cricket. He has big responsibilities now, which he needs to perform well on, as he has to live up to being captain.

Brook has experience as the vice-captain for England’s ODI and T20 teams, so this is a natural step up for him. However, people within the English cricket system thought Test captain Ben Stokes was the best candidate.

Succeeding Buttler is a tough task

Now that Brook has taken over as the white-ball captain, he is under pressure to perform. Buttler had a rollercoaster run during his time as the skipper, but the successes were superb, leading England to an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory in 2022. 

Unfortunately, that was their peak given that they struggled in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup (ODI format). The same went for their Champions Trophy run in 2025, as they lost to Afghanistan. This led to his prompt resignation, leading to Brook’s rise.

Now that Brook is the captain, he has the task of succeeding Buttler. While Jos disappointed fans due to the era after the �?2 T20 World Cup, he still won a significant trophy. Brook has to match that success and even surpass that with his new role.

Brook must lead by example

The T20 World Cup will be played in India and Sri Lanka in 2026, which can be Brook’s golden opportunity. He will be the vocal leader, but also a strong batsman. He has a history of performing well, as proven by his match-winning century against Australia in 2024. 

Not only that, but he was on the team that won the �?2 T20 World Cup, so he has a pedigree as a champion. Even though he is only 26, he is ready to be the leader of England’s white-ball cricket team, given that he exited franchise leagues to focus on his new role. 

Brook said, ‘It's a real honour to be named England's white-ball captain. Ever since I was a kid playing cricket at Burley in Wharfedale, I dreamed of representing Yorkshire, playing for England, and maybe one day leading the team�?

Brook must prove he is the better choice over Stokes

Aside from handling the pressure of succeeding Buttler, Brook must prove that he is the better choice over Stokes. Many people within the England system wanted Stokes to take over as the captain, but Brook was the choice. As long as Brook performs well, he won’t need to hear about Stokes deserving the nod.

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In a bold move, Harry Brook has been named England’s new white-ball captain for both the ODI and T20I formats. This follows Jos Buttler’s resignation after England’s early exit in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

As England seeks a fresh start, Brook’s appointment offers hope. He’s among the best young talents in English cricket. But is he ready to lead a team under pressure and with high expectations?

Young talent, big responsibility

At just 26, Brook’s captaincy experience is limited. He previously led England’s Under-19 team at the 2018 World Cup and the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. Yet these roles, while valuable, are not quite on the same scale as captaining the senior national team. 

Graeme Smith captained South Africa at just 22, leading the team to its first-ever Test win against Australia in 2008. Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has tainted his leadership with issues after the ICC banned him for spot-fixing along with three others back in 2010.

This shows that Brook’s captaincy can go either way. Right now, Brook’s potential is undeniable, especially after he averaged 78 with the bat during the ODI match with Australia last summer. However, leadership skills don’t always grow as quickly as one’s playing form. Brook may still need time to adapt and mature in this new role.

The cons of an all-rounder: Pressure across formats

Brook’s captaincy also comes at a time when he is a key player in England’s Test team. Ranked second in the ICC world batting rankings in Test cricket, he is now tasked to balance all formats: ODIs, T20Is, and Tests. With a packed schedule for England—three home T20Is and three ODIs against West Indies and the Ashes series with Australia—the pressure on him will only increase.

The physical and mental toll of captaining across formats is no joke. Once, former Test captain Joe Root spoke about the burnout he faced during his time. He shared how the duty affected his personal health and family time, making him feel like a ‘zombie�?

The question now is whether Brook’s duty will affect his form. The role is demanding, and England must manage his workload to avoid the pitfalls of burnout.

Is Brook ready for the captaincy?

This new position marks a bold reset for England’s white-ball cricket. To succeed, the team must guard Brook from burnout and give him room to grow as a leader. They also need to safeguard his physical and mental energy to avoid impacting his performance on the field.

Moreover, Brook needs the backing of senior players like Root, Buttler, and Ben Stokes. Their mentorship will help him ease into the role and find his voice as a captain. If all goes well, the idea of Brook being the Test captain one day won’t seem as doubtful. England might just be shaping its next great captain.

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