The conversation around England's future Test lineup has intensified, with former captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain weighing in on the rise of James Rew in the County Championship. Rew, a 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman, currently leads the national run‑scoring charts, second only to Jamie Smith, and his performances have sparked debate about how he might break into an England middle order that already appears set with Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes. At present, the most realistic pathway for Rew seems to be an opening role for Somerset, a move that could force the England selectors to reconsider the under‑performing top of the order, particularly the struggling Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.
If Rew were to earn a call‑up, England could face a tactical puzzle ahead of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on 4 June: where to slot a prolific county opener into a settled Test side. During the latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Atherton highlighted the paradox. "James Rew is scoring runs for fun and playing with great confidence, but the middle‑order positions are essentially locked," he said.
"The only realistic opening spot looks open because I don’t see Crawley making the XI. The question is whether England will let a county opener transition straight into the national top‑order, and that balance between county needs and England’s development plans is always delicate." Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, added his perspective.
He quoted former Glamorgan player‑turned‑writer Steve James, who suggested that Rew should press Somerset to give him an opening berth. "If Somerset can see how well he’s performed at four, they could simply say ‘we’ll do what’s best for the team’," Hussain said.
"But we also have to think about the impact on Somerset if they start losing players to England. Opening is a specialist role, and you can’t just reshuffle without consequences." The discussion then drifted to historical precedents.
"Mark Butcher opened at three, Alec Stewart did it as well, and you’ve seen Lancashire experiment with similar moves," Hussain noted. "The middle‑order experiment with Dan Lawrence didn’t work, but Rew’s consistency makes a compelling case for a spot. Bethell, who usually comes in at three, has never opened in first‑class cricket.
Could we push Bethell up and slot Rew at three? The problem is Root’s reluctance to move from four, so the puzzle remains intriguing." Atherton, who became England captain at 25, reiterated the importance of top‑three county experience. "You really need to be batting in the top three for your county if you want to be considered for an opening slot at the national level," he argued. "Root staying at four is unlikely to change, and the only way for a youngster to break in is to prove himself at the top of the order.
There’s only one opening slot at the moment, and that’s where the ambition lies for any aspiring Test player." Statistically, Rew’s numbers are impressive: 379 runs at an average of 75.80, second only to Jamie Smith’s 396 runs at 99.00. Other notable performers include Tom Abell (337 runs, 56.16), Joe Clarke (273 runs, 68.25) and Oliver Cox (266 runs, 88.66). These figures underline why the England set‑up is paying close attention to the County Championship as the domestic season progresses.
Atherton also used the podcast to flag other emerging talents. He praised Sonny Baker for his lively pace and wicket‑taking ability, and highlighted Sussex’s Henry Crocombe as a promising young fast bowler. Sam Cook received particular attention; despite a modest showing in his recent Test debut, Atherton believes Cook’s skill set merits a longer look. "He’s 28, entering his prime, and should be knocking on the door for regular Test selection," Atherton said, adding that Cook competes with the likes of Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher for a place in England’s pace attack.
The broader context includes the County Championship fixtures for 2026, the current league tables, and the upcoming Sky Sports coverage of Surrey versus Essex. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest news, videos and analysis, and to use Chrome for the best video experience. Looking ahead, England’s home summer will kick off with a three‑Test series against New Zealand at Lord’s on 4 June, followed by a packed schedule of international cricket. The selection committee will have to decide whether to gamble on a youthful opener like Rew or to stick with the established order.
If Rew continues to dominate at Somerset and proves he can handle the pressures of opening, his case for a Test debut will become increasingly hard to ignore. The balance between nurturing county success and feeding the national side will be the defining narrative as England prepares for its next Test campaign.