Somerset's Rew Tipped for England Call-Up as Hampshire Fights Back

Somerset, the current Division One leaders, encountered strong resistance from Hampshire on the second day at the Utilita Bowl. Despite scoring 288, they lost seven wickets for 113 runs and saw their 50-run lead disappear in Hampshire's second innings. Hampshire ended the day at 146 for one, leading by 96 runs, with Nick Gubbins scoring an unbeaten 70. James Rew, a potential England player, was the first to fall for 86 in the morning session, but his Test ambitions were praised by head coach Jason Kerr. Kerr believes Rew has the potential to play international cricket, saying, 'He is a good enough player to play international cricket. He has scored a lot of runs over a lot of years.' However, Kerr has chosen not to use Rew as an opener, instead focusing on the middle order. The coach stated, 'If he opens the batting, then great, I appreciate the middle order is quite stocked at international level, but a player of that talent should be knocking on the door.' In another match, Essex and Warwickshire are competing for control at Edgbaston, with the Bears being bowled out for 190 and Essex reaching 110 for three. Meanwhile, in Division Two, Gloucestershire's clash with Lancashire has seen 23 wickets fall in two days, with Lancashire currently leading. An unbroken stand of 131 between Nathan McSweeney and James Sales has kept Northamptonshire in the battle against Middlesex.