Who are the players being considered for England's Test side? Former captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain recently weighed in on the influence of James Rew within the County Championship and what his performances could mean for a national call‑up. James Rew has emerged as the most prolific run‑getter in the domestic circuit this season.
Yet the England middle order appears firmly entrenched, with Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes all holding down their places. For the 22‑year‑old, the most realistic pathway to a Test debut may involve shifting to an opening role for Somerset, thereby providing a direct challenge to the currently unsettled openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. The left‑handed batsman's tally in the Championship is second only to Jamie Smith.
Should the selectors decide to bring him into the squad, England could face a tactical dilemma when trying to slot him into the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on 4 June. The question is whether he would be used as an opener, a middle‑order reinforcement, or perhaps a flexible option who can bat anywhere in the top three. During the latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Atherton commented: "James Rew is racking up runs and playing with great confidence.
The problem is that the middle order is essentially locked. You’re not going to break in there. Opening, however, looks like the only realistic opening," he said, adding that "Crawley looks unlikely to be retained, so an opening vacancy could appear." He continued, "The real issue is whether England will let a county side sacrifice its own balance for the national team’s needs. It’s a delicate trade‑off.
The county wants to win games, while England wants to develop talent." Former England captain Nasser Hussain, who led the side from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar concerns. He quoted former Glamorgan cricketer‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset’s door to claim the opening slot.
"If he continues to dominate at four, the county could simply say, ‘We’ll do what’s best for us,’" Hussain said. He warned, "If Somerset start losing players to England, they could be left vulnerable. Opening is a specialist position, and you can’t just shuffle people around without consequences." The discussion then drifted to historical precedents.
"Mark Butcher opened at three, Alec Stewart did it as well, and you have a long tradition of England openers moving up the order," Atherton noted. "But when you try to push a middle‑order player like Dan Lawrence up, it rarely works." Both pundits agreed that Rew’s technique—especially his late‑ball timing and ability to play across the crease—makes him a strong candidate for the top of the order. "He’s scoring runs consistently, and you watch him bat and you see the quality of his shot selection.
The challenge now is simply finding a slot for him," Atherton said. Hussain raised the possibility of reshuffling other players: "Bethell has never opened in first‑class cricket, but he could be moved up. If you place Bethell at one and Rew at three, the only obstacle is Joe Root, who is unlikely to move from four. It’s a fascinating puzzle." The conversation also touched on the broader county landscape.
Atherton highlighted a few other names catching his eye ahead of the Surrey versus Essex clash on Sky Sports Cricket: "Sonny Baker looks lively with his quick bowling, and Henry Crocombe at Sussex is an improving youngster. Sam Cook, despite a quiet showing at Edgbaston, still has the tools to be a frontline bowler. He’s 28, entering his prime, and should be knocking on the Test door." He added, "Jimmy Anderson continues to dominate in Division Two, leading Lancashire with a haul of wickets that proves experience still matters." Statistically, the current leaders in the Championship are: - Jamie Smith: 396 runs at an average of 99.00 - James Rew: 379 runs at 75.80 - Tom Abell: 337 runs at 56.16 - Joe Clarke: 273 runs at 68.25 - Oliver Cox: 266 runs at 88.66 - Ben Foakes: 255 runs at an impressive 127.50 These figures underline why the England selectors are keeping a close watch on the county competition. The upcoming home summer, which kicks off with a three‑Test series against New Zealand, will be the first real opportunity for Rew to prove himself on the international stage.
For fans wanting to follow the action, Sky Sports will broadcast the series live, and the matches can also be streamed contract‑free via NOW for those without a traditional subscription. The debate over Rew’s role is likely to continue until the final county fixtures are played, but one thing is clear: his consistent run‑scoring, left‑handed flair, and willingness to adapt make him a serious contender for an opening berth in the England Test side.