The conversation about who might earn a place in England's Test side has turned to a young talent from Somerset: James Rew. Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain recently weighed in on Rew's impressive County Championship form and the practical hurdles he faces in breaking into a middle order that already seems set. Rew, a 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman, currently tops the national run‑scoring charts, second only to Jamie Smith. His consistency in the County Championship has sparked speculation that he could be the next big name to receive a Test cap.
However, the established England middle order – featuring Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – appears firmly entrenched. This reality forces Rew to consider an alternative pathway: opening the innings for Somerset, thereby positioning himself as a viable option to replace the under‑performing openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Atherton, speaking on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, praised Rew’s run‑making ability but highlighted the bottleneck in the middle order.
"James Rew is getting lots of runs and playing really well," he said, "but that middle order is locked up, isn’t it? You're not going to get in the middle order. So opening the batting, I think there's going to be a vacancy there because I don't see Crawley getting picked." Atherton went on to question whether England would be willing to reshuffle the top three slots to accommodate a newcomer, noting the delicate balance between a county’s needs and the national side’s development plans.
Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar concerns. He referenced former Glamorgan player‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should press Somerset to give him an opening slot. "If he's done so well at four, then they could just turn to him and say, 'we'll do what's best for us'," Hussain said, acknowledging that opening the innings is a specialist role that not every batsman can simply adopt. He also warned that Somerset might be reluctant to lose a prolific scorer to international duty, especially if the team’s own championship ambitions are at stake.
The statistical picture underscores Rew’s case. In the current season, Jamie Smith leads with 396 runs at an average of 99.00, while Rew follows closely with 379 runs at a 75.80 average. 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 illustrate that Rew is not merely a flash in the pan; he is delivering sustained, high‑quality batting across the competition. The practical question remains: how could England slot Rew into the side for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on 4 June? Atherton believes that a player must be accustomed to batting in the top three for his county before being trusted with an opening role at the international level. "I wouldn't be shoving Root in from the middle order if that's where he's staying," he argued, recalling the mixed results of moving Dan Lawrence up the order in the past.
"Ideally for him, he would be batting in the top three. And maybe that will come to pass.
If you're a young kid looking at where you're going to get in the England side, there's only one place at the moment, and that's at the top of the order." Hussain entertained a tactical shuffle: moving Bethell up to open and placing Rew at number three. He noted the difficulty of displacing Root from the number four slot, but suggested that a flexible approach could create room for Rew without destabilising the existing order. "Could you move Bethell up to open and have Rew at three?
The problem is obviously Root doesn't want to move from four, so it is an interesting question," he said. Beyond the batting debate, Atherton also highlighted a handful of bowlers who have caught his eye in the County Championship, indicating that England’s selection panel is scanning the entire talent pool. He praised Sonny Baker for his lively pace, Henry Crocombe for his development at Sussex, and Sam Cook for his resilience despite a disappointing spell in a recent Test.
"If they're looking for a line‑bowler and an English‑style bowler, he's got competition – Ollie Robinson, Matt Fisher – but Sam Cook is 28, in his prime, and knocking on the door with wickets," Atherton remarked. The broader context is the upcoming home summer, where England will host New Zealand for a three‑Test series beginning on 4 June. The series will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and fans without a subscription can stream via NOW. The stakes are high: England will be eager to field a balanced side that can both dominate with the bat and sustain pressure with the ball.
In summary, James Rew’s case for a Test debut hinges on several interlocking factors. His run‑scoring record in the County Championship is undeniable, and his left‑handed style adds variety to England’s batting options.
Yet the entrenched middle order, the specialist nature of opening, and the strategic considerations of both Somerset and the England selectors create a complex puzzle. If Somerset can accommodate Rew at the top of the order and England is willing to experiment with the top three, the 22‑year‑old could find himself on the Lord’s pitch in June, potentially ushering in a new chapter for English cricket.