The conversation about who might earn a spot in England's Test side has become a hot topic, especially after Michael Atherton and former captain Nasser Hussain weighed in on the remarkable form of James Rew in the County Championship. Rew, a 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman from Somerset, is currently the second‑most prolific run‑getter in the domestic circuit, trailing only Jamie Smith. His tally of 379 runs at an impressive 75.80 average has sparked speculation about whether he could break into the national squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand at Lord's on June 4. At the moment, England's middle order appears firmly entrenched.
Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes have all cemented their places, leaving little room for newcomers in those positions. Consequently, the most realistic pathway for Rew may be to convert his success at the top of the order for Somerset into an opening slot for England. This would also address the current uncertainty surrounding the performances of current openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, both of whom have struggled for consistency in recent matches.
During the latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Atherton highlighted the dilemma: "James Rew is scoring heavily and playing superbly, but the middle order is essentially locked. The only realistic opening for him would be to take a spot at the top, especially if Crawley is not selected.
The challenge is balancing what Somerset needs for its own success with what England requires for its long‑term development." Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, added his perspective, referencing former player‑turned‑journalist Steve James: "Steve suggested Rew should be knocking on Somerset's door to open the batting. If he continues to dominate at number four, the county could simply promote him and say, 'we'll do what's best for us.' The real question is whether Somerset can afford to lose a player of his calibre to the national side, because opening is a specialist role." Both pundits agreed that the decision is not straightforward. Atherton, who himself captained England at the age of 25, stressed the importance of a batsman being accustomed to opening at the county level before being thrust into the same role for England: "You need to be batting in the top three for your county if you want to open for the national side. We tried moving Dan Lawrence up the order and it didn't work; you can't just shuffle players without a solid foundation." Hussain explored alternative scenarios, such as moving Bethell up to open and slotting Rew at number three.
However, this would displace Joe Root, who is unlikely to relinquish his preferred position at four. The conversation therefore revolves around three key options: 1. **Promote Rew to open for Somerset** – This would give him the experience needed to challenge for an England opening spot. 2.
**Shift Bethell to open and keep Rew at three** – A compromise that retains Rew in the top order but may upset the balance of the current England side. 3.
**Maintain the status quo** – Keep the existing England lineup and hope Rew's form forces a selection rethink later in the season. Beyond the batting debate, Atherton used the platform to highlight several other county performers catching his eye ahead of the Surrey versus Essex clash, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket. He praised young fast bowler Sonny Baker for his lively pace and wicket‑taking ability, and noted the progress of Henry Crocombe at Sussex as an emerging talent. Sam Cook also received a mention; despite a quiet showing in his recent Test debut, Atherton believes Cook's skill set and age (28) position him for a resurgence and a possible place in the England squad alongside established bowlers like Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher.
The discussion also touched on the broader context of the County Championship. Jamie Smith leads the run‑scoring charts with 396 runs at a flawless 99.00 average, while Rew follows closely with 379 runs. 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, an astonishing 127.50 average). These statistics underscore the depth of talent available for England selectors, making the decision about Rew's role even more nuanced.
Looking ahead, the England summer schedule promises a three‑Test series against New Zealand beginning on June 4, followed by a packed programme of home internationals. Sky Sports will broadcast all matches, and fans without a subscription can stream via NOW without a contract. The pressure on the England selectors will intensify as the series approaches, especially if Rew continues to dominate the County Championship and if the current openers fail to deliver.
In summary, James Rew's meteoric rise has placed him firmly on the radar of both former England captains and current selectors. While his middle‑order position at Somerset is currently occupied by more experienced players, the possibility of opening the batting offers a plausible route into the Test side. The decision will hinge on Somerset's willingness to promote him, the performance of existing England openers, and the strategic balance between county success and national team development. As the County Championship progresses and the New Zealand series looms, all eyes will remain on Rew to see whether he can translate his domestic dominance into a long‑awaited England Test debut.