The conversation surrounding England's pool of Test candidates has taken a fresh turn, 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, has been the most prolific run‑getter in the domestic circuit this season, second only to Jamie Smith in terms of aggregate runs. Yet the pathway to a Test debut is anything but straightforward because England's current middle order appears firmly entrenched.
Established names such as Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes have all cemented their places, leaving Rew with limited options unless he can carve out a niche elsewhere. One realistic scenario, according to the analysts, is that Rew could be asked to open the innings for Somerset. By moving up the order at county level, he would not only test his technique against the new ball but also provide England with a potential opening option at a time when the national side’s top order is under pressure.
Both Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have struggled for consistency, and the England selectors are keen to explore alternatives before the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on 4 June. During a recent episode of the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Atherton highlighted the paradox facing Rew. "He is scoring runs for the county like a machine, but the middle order is essentially locked," he said. "If you want a place in the England side you have to look at opening.
I don’t see Crawley getting picked, so there is a genuine vacancy at the top of the order. The question is whether the county will let him open, because that balance between Somerset’s own ambitions and England’s needs is always a delicate one." Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar sentiments. He referenced a comment from former Glamorgan player‑turned‑writer Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset’s door to request an opening slot.
"If he continues to dominate at four, the county could simply say, ‘we’ll do what’s best for us’," Hussain noted, adding that opening the batting is a specialist role that requires both technique and temperament. He also warned that if Somerset begins to lose players to the national side, the club may be reluctant to sacrifice a proven run‑scorer for the sake of an experiment.
The debate over where Rew fits into the England hierarchy is further complicated by the historical precedent of moving established middle‑order players up the order. Atherton recalled the short‑lived experiment with Dan Lawrence, who was promoted to open for England but failed to make a lasting impact. "Mark Butcher opened at three, Alec Stewart did it too, but it’s not a decision to be taken lightly," he said. "You need someone who is already comfortable in the top three at county level before you hand them the national opening slot." Hussain also raised the possibility of reshuffling the current order: perhaps Bethell could be promoted to open, with Rew sliding into the No 3 position.
However, this would require Joe Root to relinquish his familiar No 4 spot, a move that the seasoned batsman is unlikely to embrace. "Root staying at four is almost a given," Hussain observed, "so the puzzle remains." Beyond the opening‑bat conundrum, both pundits used the platform to highlight other emerging talents in the County Championship. Atherton mentioned a handful of bowlers who have caught his eye ahead of the upcoming Surrey versus Essex clash on Sky Sports Cricket. He praised Sonny Baker for his pace and vitality, and he noted the progress of Sussex youngster Henry Crocombe.
Sam Cook, despite a quiet debut Test at Edgbaston, was described as a bowler with a bright future, especially when compared with contemporaries such as Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher. The veteran Jimmy Anderson, still playing in Division Two for Lancashire, was also lauded for his relentless wicket‑taking. Statistically, Rew’s numbers are impressive.
He has accumulated 379 runs at an average of 75.80, placing him just behind Jamie Smith, who boasts 396 runs at a 99.00 average. The list of leading run‑scorers also includes 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 staggering 127.50 average). These figures underline the depth of talent available for England selectors, yet they also illustrate why the competition for a Test berth is fierce. Looking ahead, the England summer will commence with a three‑Test series against New Zealand, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
For fans without a subscription, the matches can be streamed contract‑free on NOW. The series will serve as a litmus test for any new entrants, and Rew’s performance in the County Championship will be scrutinised closely in the weeks leading up to Lord’s. In summary, James Rew is undeniably one of the most exciting young batsmen in English domestic cricket. His prolific run‑making, combined with a left‑handed style that could trouble any bowling attack, makes him a strong candidate for future England selection.
However, the entrenched nature of the current middle order means that his most viable route to a Test debut is likely to be through the opening position, either at Somerset or, ultimately, for England itself. The balance between county priorities and national ambitions will dictate whether Rew gets the chance to translate his county success onto the world stage.
The coming months will be crucial, and cricket enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if Rew can indeed knock on the door of the England Test team.