The conversation around England's upcoming Test squad has turned sharply toward a young Somerset batter named James Rew. Michael Atherton and former captain Nasser Hussain recently weighed in on a Sky Sports Cricket podcast, dissecting Rew's remarkable season in the County Championship and debating where, if anywhere, he might fit into the national side.
Rew has been a runaway scoring machine in the domestic game. At 22 years old he sits second only to Jamie Smith on the Championship run‑scoring list, having amassed 379 runs at an impressive average of 75.80. His consistency and ability to dominate bowlers have made him a household name in county circles, and many observers are now asking whether his form can translate to the international arena. The challenge, however, is not simply a matter of numbers.
England's current middle order appears largely set, with Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes all firmly entrenched in the top‑five positions. That leaves little room for a newcomer to break in through the traditional middle‑order slot.
As a result, the most realistic pathway for Rew may be to reinvent himself as an opener for Somerset, thereby creating a potential opening berth for England as well. Atherton was blunt on the podcast: "James Rew is getting lots of runs and playing really well. But that middle order is locked up, isn't it?
You're not going to get in the middle order. So opening the batting, I think there's going to be a vacancy there because I don't see Crawley getting picked." He went on to stress that the balance between a county's own ambitions and England's developmental needs is a delicate one. If Somerset were to move Rew up the order, it could benefit both the club—by strengthening their top of the innings—and England, which would gain a proven run‑scorer ready to face the new ball. Hussain added another layer to the debate, noting that opening is a specialist role that demands a particular mindset and technique.
He referenced former Glamorgan player‑turned‑writer Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset's door to request an opening slot. Hussain warned that if Somerset were to lose players to the national side, they would need to manage the impact carefully, but he also acknowledged that Rew's skill set could make him a natural fit at three or even at the very top of the order.
The practicalities of selection were also explored. With the first Test against New Zealand scheduled for Lord's on June 4, England faces a conundrum: where to slot a player like Rew if they decide to call him up. Atherton argued that a player must be batting in the top three for his county before the selectors will consider him for an opening role at the Test level. "I wouldn't be shoving Root in from the middle order if that's where he's staying.
They did it with Dan Lawrence. It wasn't a success, but you felt they were just keeping the seat warm there.
I think you've got to be batting in the top three," he said. The discussion then shifted to the broader landscape of English talent. Atherton highlighted a handful of other county performers who have caught his eye ahead of the Surrey vs Essex clash on Sky Sports Cricket.
He praised fast bowler Sonny Baker for his pace and wicket‑taking ability, noted the progress of Sussex’s Henry Crocombe, and defended Sam Cook’s prospects despite a lackluster showing in his recent Test debut. Cook, now 28, is entering what many consider a bowler's prime, and Athlett believes he should not be dismissed on the basis of a single performance. In addition to the batting conversation, the podcast touched on the importance of a balanced attack.
Atherton pointed to Jimmy Anderson’s continued dominance in Division Two, where the Lancashire legend is still leading the wicket‑taking charts. He also mentioned the competition Rew would face from established openers like Ben Stokes, who can bat anywhere in the top order, and the emerging talent of Jacob Bethell, who has yet to open at first‑class level but could be a candidate for a reshuffle. Statistically, the numbers paint a vivid picture of the current season's top performers.
Jamie Smith tops the list with 396 runs at a flawless 99.00 average, followed closely by Rew’s 379 runs at 75.80. Tom Abell, Joe Clarke, Oliver Cox and Ben Foakes round out the leading run‑scorers, each posting averages above 50.
These figures underscore the depth of batting talent in the county circuit and the difficulty selectors face when trimming the squad to a final eleven. So, what does the future hold for James Rew?
If Somerset decides to give him the opening role, he would gain the experience of facing the new ball regularly, an essential skill for any Test opener. Success in that position could force the England selectors to reconsider the composition of their top order, especially if Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett continue to struggle for form.
Conversely, if Somerset keeps Rew in the middle, his path to the national side becomes considerably steeper, given the entrenched positions of Root, Brook and Stokes. The broader implication is that England’s selection policy may need to become more flexible, allowing promising county performers to adapt to roles that suit the national team's immediate needs. As Atherton and Hussain both implied, the balance between county success and international development is a tightrope walk, but one that could pay dividends if managed correctly.
For fans eager to follow the debate, Sky Sports offers live coverage of the County Championship, the upcoming Surrey‑Essex encounter, and the England home summer starting with the New Zealand series. The podcast, social media updates via WhatsApp, and the Sky Sports app provide constant analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insight into how players like James Rew are evaluated and potentially elevated to the Test arena. In summary, James Rew is undeniably one of the most prolific run‑scorers in the domestic game right now.
His future in the England Test side hinges on whether he can secure an opening slot at Somerset, thereby demonstrating his ability to negotiate the challenges of the new ball. If he does, the selectors may have to make tough choices about reshuffling established middle‑order players to accommodate a fresh, high‑scoring talent. The next few weeks of county cricket will be crucial in determining whether Rew can turn his prolific run‑making into a genuine Test opportunity.