The question on every cricket fan's mind this season is which county performers will earn a place in England's Test side. Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain recently weighed in on the case of James Rew, the 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman who has been tearing up the County Championship for Somerset.
Rew currently tops the run‑scoring charts, second only to Jamie Smith, and his prolific form has sparked a lively debate about where he could fit into the national team. At the moment England's middle order looks firmly entrenched. The likes of Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes have all cemented their places, leaving little room for a newcomer to slip in. Consequently, the most realistic pathway for Rew appears to be as an opener.
Somerset have already hinted that they might consider moving him up the order, a shift that could provide England with a fresh option at the top of the innings, especially if they decide to drop the under‑performing Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Atherton, speaking on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, was blunt about the situation.
"James Rew is scoring runs for a living and playing with great confidence," he said, "but the middle order is effectively locked. If you want a place in the England XI you have to look at the opening slots.
I don't see Crawley getting picked, so an opening vacancy is likely to arise. The real question is whether Rew can make the transition to open at the international level." The former captain also highlighted the delicate balance between a county's own ambitions and the national side's requirements. "Somerset want to win the Championship, and England want to develop players for the Test arena.
Those priorities can clash, and it's a tricky equilibrium to maintain," Atherton added. Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar sentiments but added his own perspective. He referenced a comment made by former Glamorgan player‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset's door to request an opening berth. "If Rew continues to dominate at number four, Somerset could simply promote him and say, 'we'll do what's best for the team'," Hussain said.
"But we also have to consider the impact on Somerset if they start losing players to England. Opening the batting is a specialist role, and it's not something you can shuffle around lightly." Both pundits discussed historical precedents. Atherton pointed out that England have previously tried to reshuffle the top order with mixed results.
He recalled Mark Butcher and Alec Stewart opening together, and the experiment with Dan Lawrence at three that never quite clicked. "You need a batsman who is comfortable in the top three at county level before you trust him to open for England," Atherton argued. "Root, for example, is unlikely to move down from four, so any reshuffle has to accommodate his position as well." The conversation then turned to the broader pool of talent. Atherton listed a few names that have caught his eye ahead of the upcoming Surrey versus Essex match, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
He praised the pace of Sonny Baker, the development of Sussex youngster Henry Crocombe, and the resurgence of Sam Cook after a modest showing at Edgbaston. Cook, at 28, is entering what many consider the prime years for a fast bowler, and Atherton believes he should not be written off after a single under‑whelming Test performance. He also mentioned the competition from Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher, noting that England have a healthy depth of seam options.
In the spin department, Athlett highlighted the impressive figures of Jimmy Anderson in Division Two, where the veteran has been leading Lancashire with a steady stream of wickets. Anderson's experience and consistency make him a valuable asset, especially as England look to balance youth and experience across the squad. Statistically, Rew's numbers are eye‑catching. He has amassed 379 runs at an average of 75.80, sitting just behind Jamie Smith, who has 396 runs at a 99.00 average.
Other notable performers include Tom Abell (337 runs, 56.16 average), Joe Clarke (273 runs, 68.25 average), Oliver Cox (266 runs, 88.66 average) and Ben Foakes (255 runs, a remarkable 127.50 average). These figures illustrate the depth of talent in the current Championship and underscore why selectors have a difficult job. Looking ahead, England's first home Test of the summer will be against New Zealand at Lord's on 4 June.
If Rew receives a call‑up, the selectors will face a dilemma: where to slot him into a line‑up that already has established openers and a solid middle order. Some analysts suggest a possible three‑man opening arrangement, similar to the occasional use of a ‘third opener’ in limited‑overs cricket, but such a strategy would require clear communication and a willingness to experiment. The broader context of the 2026 County Championship also plays a role. With the league's tables still in flux, teams are jockeying for position, and any loss of a key batsman to international duty could affect their title chances.
Somerset, in particular, must weigh the benefit of giving Rew exposure at the highest level against the risk of weakening their batting line‑up in a crucial phase of the season. For fans wanting to stay up to date, Sky Sports offers live coverage of the Championship, as well as a dedicated cricket podcast where Atherton and Hussain regularly discuss emerging talent. The network also encourages viewers to follow their WhatsApp channel for breaking news, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis. In summary, James Rew's prolific run‑scoring has placed him squarely in the conversation for an England Test debut, but the path is not straightforward.
With a crowded middle order and a specialist opening role, his most viable route is to prove himself as a top‑order batsman for Somerset. If he can adapt to the demands of opening at county level, the England selectors may feel compelled to give him a chance, especially if the team seeks fresh firepower at the top of the order for the upcoming New Zealand series. The next few weeks will be decisive, as both county performances and the strategic preferences of the national coaching staff converge to shape Rew's future on the international stage.