Birmingham Phoenix captain Jacob Bethell ruled out of The Hundred 2026 due to knee injury

By Rohan Gupta — 21 July 2026 — 3 min read

Birmingham Phoenix will be without their captain, Jacob Bethell, for the 2026 edition of The Hundred after the England all-rounder sustained a right knee injury. The setback occurred during the recently concluded One-Day International (ODI) series against India, leading to his withdrawal from the tournament.

An MRI scan conducted on Monday confirmed the extent of Bethell’s injury. The 22-year-old is now set to commence a rehabilitation programme immediately to aid his recovery. His absence is a significant blow for the Phoenix, as he was not only retained by the franchise for a substantial sum but also appointed as captain for the upcoming season.

Shane Bond, the head coach for Birmingham Phoenix, expressed the team’s disappointment regarding Bethell’s injury. He emphasized that while losing both their captain and a key player so close to the tournament is frustrating, Bethell’s long-term recovery is the primary concern for the club. Bond conveyed the club’s best wishes for Bethell’s recovery and expressed anticipation for his return to the field as soon as possible.

The injury comes after Bethell showcased moments of strong performance during the white-ball series against India. He delivered an unbeaten 76 runs off 46 balls in the second T20I. Additionally, he concluded the ODI series with a composed 91 runs in the final match, a performance that earned him player of the match honours in the series decider at Lord’s, where he also took 1-49.

Ferreira to lead Birmingham Phoenix

Following Bethell’s withdrawal, Donovan Ferreira will step in to assume the captaincy for Birmingham Phoenix. Coach Shane Bond confirmed this decision, expressing confidence in the South African player’s leadership abilities. Bond highlighted Ferreira’s experience, noting that he is a two-time Hundred champion with Oval Invincibles, and believes he will be a valuable mentor for the younger members of the squad.

Bethell himself voiced his disappointment at missing the tournament, particularly the opportunity to play in front of the Birmingham Phoenix supporters at Edgbaston. He acknowledged the necessity of focusing on his recovery to regain full fitness.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed Bethell’s MRI scan but did not provide a timeline for his return to play. Missing the captaincy experience is seen as a setback for Bethell, who is considered a potential future leader for England, having previously led the national side in a T20 series against Ireland last year.

Bethell was a crucial player for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred 2025. He participated in eight matches as a middle-order all-rounder, contributing 122 runs at a strike rate of 143.53. His left-arm spin also yielded three wickets, demonstrating his versatility and finishing capabilities. His performances in the tournament were instrumental in his selection for England’s senior white-ball squads later that year.

Tournament schedule and broadcast details

The Hundred 2026 is scheduled to run from 21 July to 16 August. Birmingham Phoenix’s opening match of the tournament is set against Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday.

Cricket fans will have various options to follow the action. A selection of 16 games, including both matches on the opening day and both finals, will be broadcast on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Additionally, ball-by-ball commentary for every game will be available on BBC Sounds and through the BBC Sport website and app.

Bethell, who plays county cricket for Warwickshire, was retained by Phoenix in the auction earlier this year with a contract valued at £340,000.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter