The conversation about who might break into England's Test side has taken a fresh turn, with former captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain weighing in on the impressive county performances of James Rew. The 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman has been the leading run‑getter in the County Championship, trailing only Jamie Smith, and his form has sparked a lively debate about where he could fit into the national squad. Rew's numbers are hard to ignore.
With 379 runs at an average of 75.80, he has outscored many established county players and is the most prolific scorer in the competition this season. Yet the England middle order appears firmly entrenched.
Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and the emerging Jacob Bethell have all secured their places, leaving little room for a newcomer in the heart of the batting line‑up. Consequently, the most realistic pathway for Rew may be through the opening slot, a position currently occupied by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, both of whom have shown signs of vulnerability in recent matches.
Atherton, speaking on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, highlighted the paradox. "James Rew is scoring heavily and playing with great confidence," he said, "but the middle order is essentially locked. If you want him in the side, the opening positions are the only realistic opening. I don’t see Crawley getting the nod, so there could be a vacancy there." He went on to note the delicate balance between a county's own ambitions and the national team’s needs, acknowledging that Somerset would have to weigh the impact of losing their star batsman to international duty.
Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar sentiments. He referenced former Glamorgan player‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should ask Somerset to promote him to opener.
"If he's already thriving at four, the county could simply move him up and say, ‘we’ll do what’s best for the team,’" Hussain said. He added that opening is a specialist role and that Somerset would need to consider the broader implications of losing players to England. The discussion then turned to the practicalities of reshuffling the order. "Mark Butcher opened at three, Alec Stewart did it too, and you’ve seen Lancashire experiment with similar moves," Hussain noted.
He observed that Dan Lawrence’s stint in the middle order didn’t work out, but Rew’s consistency makes a case for giving him a chance. "Bethell has never opened in first‑class cricket, and Root is unlikely to move down from four. So the puzzle remains: can we fit Rew in without disrupting the current balance?" Atherton stressed that a player needs to be accustomed to batting in the top three at county level before being considered for an opening role in the Test side. "I wouldn’t force Root down the order just to make room for someone else.
The successful experiments have been with players who already open for their counties," he explained. "If a young player wants a spot in England, the only realistic avenue right now is to be in the top three for his county." Beyond Rew, the podcast also touched on other county performers who might catch the selectors’ eye ahead of the upcoming England‑New Zealand series at Lord’s on June 4.
Atherton listed a handful of names: Sonny Baker, a quick‑bowling prospect showing promise; Henry Crocombe, a developing fast bowler from Sussex; and Sam Cook, a 28‑year‑old who, despite a quiet showing in his debut Test, has demonstrated the ability to take wickets at the county level. Atherton argued that Cook should not be dismissed after a single under‑whelming performance, especially when he has the backing of seasoned bowlers like Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher. The discussion also highlighted Jimmy Anderson’s continued dominance in Division Two, where his wicket‑taking prowess has helped Lancashire stay competitive.
Anderson’s experience and leadership remain a benchmark for younger bowlers aiming to break into the national side. In summary, James Rew’s case for England hinges on a strategic opening‑slot opportunity.
With the middle order firmly set, the selectors will need to decide whether to reshape the top of the order to accommodate a player who has already proven his mettle in the County Championship. If Somerset is willing to promote him, and if the England management can find a slot for a left‑handed opener, Rew could very well be knocking on the door of a Test debut.
The upcoming series against New Zealand will be the first real test of whether the England board is ready to make that leap, and fans will be watching closely to see if Rew’s prolific run‑scoring translates onto the international stage. Meanwhile, the Sky Sports Cricket podcast continues to monitor the County Championship, offering insights into emerging talent and providing a platform for former players to share their perspectives on the evolving landscape of English cricket.