Jacob Bethell is set to make his England debut tomorrow (11 Sept) after being named in the XI to face Australia in the first of three IT20s.
The 20-year-old – who progressed through the Warwickshire Youth Pathway and Academy – has been chosen by stand-in skipper Phil Salt for the game at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton.
He’s one of three international T20 debutantes alongside Essex batter Jordan Cox and Surrey’s Jamie Overton.
Fellow Bears all-rounder Dan Mousley is also in the T20 squad which travels to Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Friday ahead of the final game at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday.
“It’s flattering to have people with high standings in the game speak highly of me and to mention me in England circles,” said Bethell, who is also part of England’s ODI squad to face the Aussies later this month.
“Hopefully I can go out in an England shirt, put in some good performances and show it’s deserved.”
Bethell joined Bears’ Youth Pathway at Under-14s and quickly progressed into the Emerging Player Programme and Academy before signing as a 17-year-old in 2021.
He starred as part of the England Under-19 team that reached the World Cup final in 2022 – hitting 88 from 42 balls in the Quarter-Final against South Africa – and the following year made two half-centuries on the England Lions tour of Sri Lanka.
The batting all-rounder – who made his Bears debut in June 2021 and has gone on to play more than 60 times for Warwickshire in all formats – feels he’s now ready to test himself at the highest level.
“I’ve put in a lot of hard work since and it’s paid off,” he said. “Hopefully it’s just the start.
“Growing up I’ve always looked at England squads when they’re announced on social media, England posts on Instagram. It’s unreal that my name is on there now!
“I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be incredible to rub shoulders with these guys but I’ve played against a lot of them now, and with them. There are some familiar faces in the squad.
“I just want to get involved, learn as much as I can off those boys and the coaches, and enjoy the experience.”
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