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The young cricketer is prepared for England to throw me in the tough spot” as he braces to lead the side for the first time against Ireland on Wednesday, establishing him as the nation’s youngest skipper in men’s cricket.

Due to a key player given a break for this fast-paced triple-header T20 series in a Dublin suburb, just north of Dublin, the youngster takes over to continue his rapid ascent in international cricket. He made his national team bow last September and excelled in his first Test series against the Kiwis at the end of the year. Yet to seal a permanent role in the Test lineup, he has emerged as an automatic pick in Brendon McCullum’s white-ball teams.

“The coach called me up and told me I was going to be skipper,” commented Bethell. “Not a whole lot has been discussed of why I’ve been chosen for the position. I don’t know the exact thinking of those in charge. I suppose it’s possibly just a bit of trust, and showing a bit of faith. It’ll prove nice to see how I go under pressure, and no doubt that the guys who made the decision would want to observe that also.”

“I thrive on when situations arrive with a quick tempo, it tends to get me up and about. So I relish those situations, not that they guarantee success. But fingers crossed this one will.”

Even with plenty of veteran players in the team to face Ireland, his rise is in tune with the management’s daring tendencies when it involves picking players. He will need to rely on his past background of guiding the youth team.

Approach of Leadership

“Youthful and fresh,” answered a grinning Bethell when questioned what sort of captain he is. “The key aspect I’ve admired in skippers I’ve had previously is how they work with teammates. Some on-field choice you make is going to work, but it’s guiding the team well so they believe you’re behind them. I’ve got no fixed plans of how I’m going to be.”

He has found form with the bat since he was named as skipper last month, having hit his debut ton in the last 50-over match against the Proteas less than a two weeks ago. “I had a break for a period and perhaps dropped timing, but regained that rhythm return about during the tournament so it’s fantastic to be back confident.” He steered clear of any in-depth discussion: “My head’s firmly concentrated to these matches.”

Rivals Threats

One batsman and Paul Stirling “are the two biggest dangers with the batting” for the opposition, noted Bethell. The hosts enter short on match practice having been inactive since summer – a polar opposite to England – and will be without the sharp bowling of a key bowler, on the recovery from a rib injury. Yet, the only completed T20 clash between these two teams brought an Irish victory in Melbourne at the global tournament three years ago, a signal that it may not be all straightforward for Bethell over the series.