Big blow for Birmingham Phoenix! Jacob Bethell ruled out of The Hundred 2026

Jacob Bethell of England (ANI Photo) England all-rounder Jacob Bethell has been 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 £340,000 ahead of The Hundred’s inaugural auction, has also been named captain for the upcoming season. However, an MRI scan carried out on Monday confirmed the extent of the injury and forced the 22-year-old to withdraw from the tournament. He is ready to start a rehabilitation program immediately.The setback comes after a mixed white-ball series against India, where Bethell produced flashes of brilliance despite inconsistent returns. He made an unbeaten 76 off 46 balls in the second T20I before completing the ODI series with a composed 91 in the final match.

Shane Bond reacts to Bethell’s punch

Birmingham Phoenix coach Shane Bond admitted the franchise was disappointed to lose both its captain and one of its most influential players, but stressed Bethell’s long-term recovery remains a priority.“We are all incredibly disappointed and gutted for Jacob 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, so 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 back on the pitch as soon as possible in an official statement,” Bond said. Bond also confirmed that Donovan Ferreira will take over as captain and will back the South African to lead the way.“In Donovan Ferreira, we have a real leader who knows what it means to go deep into the competition. He has won it 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 become captain,” he added.

‘It’s frustrating to miss’

In response to the injury, Bethell expressed his disappointment at missing the tournament, particularly the opportunity to play in front of the Birmingham Phoenix fans at Edgbaston.“It’s frustrating to miss The Hundred, especially representing Birmingham Phoenix in front of our fans at Edgbaston. Unfortunately, I have to take time to get back to full fitness,” Bethell said in a statement.

Bethell in the hundred of 2025

Jacob Bethell played a key role for Birmingham Phoenix during The Hundred 2025, featuring as a middle-order all-rounder in eight matches. He scored 122 runs at a rate of 143.53 while taking three wickets using his left-arm spin, impressing with his finishing ability and versatility. His performances in the tournament proved to be a stepping stone to international cricket and he earned selection for England’s senior white-ball team later that year.