The England all-rounder Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the 2026 edition of The Hundred after sustaining a right knee injury during the recently concluded ODI series against India.Bethell, who was retained by Birmingham Phoenix for GBP 340,000 ahead of The Hundred’s inaugural player auction, had also been named captain for next season. However, an MRI scan carried out on Monday confirmed the extent of the injury, forcing the 22-year-old to withdraw from the tournament. She is ready to start her rehabilitation program immediately.The clash comes after a mixed white-ball series against India, where Bethell produced flashes of brilliance despite inconsistent returns. He smashed 76 off 46 balls in the second T20I before ending the ODI series with a composed 91 in the final match.
Shane Bond reacts to Bethell’s shot
Birmingham Phoenix manager Shane Bond admitted the franchise was sorry to lose its captain and one of its most influential players, but stressed Bethell’s long-term recovery remains the priority.“We are all incredibly disappointed for Jacob and gutted that he will not be able to join us this year. It is frustrating to lose a player of his quality, not least your captain, this close to the tournament, but his long-term fitness must be the priority. Everyone at the club wishes him the best with his recovery and we look forward to seeing him on the pitch.” official statement released by the franchise. Bond also confirmed that Donovan Ferreira will take over the captaincy, backing the South African to lead the side.“In Donovan Ferreira we have a real leader who knows what it takes to go deep in the competition. He has won before and will be a great person for the younger members of the team to learn from. We are lucky to have someone of his stature to step into the captaincy,” he added.
“It’s frustrating to miss out”
Reacting to the injury, Bethell expressed his disappointment at missing the tournament, particularly the opportunity to play in front of the Birmingham Phoenix supporters at Edgbaston.“It’s frustrating to miss the Hundred, especially as I represent Birmingham Phoenix in front of our supporters at Edgbaston. Unfortunately, I need to take time to get back to full fitness,” Bethell said in the statement.
Bethell in The Hundred 2025
Jacob Bethell played a key role for Birmingham Phoenix during The Hundred 2025, featuring in eight matches as a middle-order all-rounder. He scored 122 runs at a strike rate of 143.53 while also taking three wickets with his left-arm spin, impressing with his finishing ability and versatility. His performances in the tournament proved to be a springboard to international cricket, earning him selection for England’s white-ball teams later that year.