England name 21-year-old Jacob Bethell as captain for T20 International series against Ireland

Jacob Bethell will break a record which has stood for 136 years when the 21-year-old all-rounder becomes England's youngest ever men's cricket captain next month.

Bethell will lead England against Ireland in three T20 Internationals in Dublin.

The previous youngest England captain was Monty Bowden, who was 23 in 1889 when he took charge for a Test in South Africa after regular skipper Aubrey Smith fell ill with fever.

Some senior players will be missing in Ireland, including usual white-ball captain Harry Brook, who will be in charge of one-day international and T20I games against visiting South Africa earlier in September.

"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 in a statement on Friday.

The captaincy is part of a rapid rise for Bethell, who made his debuts for England in all three formats only last year.

The series in Ireland begins on September 17, after England's tour of South Africa for three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and three T20 matches, starting September 2.

Right-arm fast bowler Sonny Baker has earned his first national team call-up for the ODIs against South Africa after the 22-year-old impressed selectors with his performance for England Lions and in domestic cricket.

England will then travel to New Zealand in October for a white-ball tour, followed by five Ashes Tests in Australia from November.

AP/Reuters

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