The conversation around England's future Test line‑up has turned sharply toward a young Somerset batsman named James Rew. Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain recently weighed in on his performances in the County Championship and debated whether he could break into a middle order that already appears set with the likes of Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes. Rew, only 22, currently leads the championship in runs, second only to Jamie Smith, and his prolific scoring has sparked a lively debate about where he might fit into the national side. At present England’s top‑order appears fairly settled.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have both struggled for consistency, while the senior trio of Root, Brook and Stokes dominate the middle order. This leaves the opening slots as the most plausible entry point for a newcomer. Atherton, speaking on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, highlighted the difficulty of displacing established players 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." The former England captain also pointed out the delicate balance between county priorities and national team needs. Somerset would likely want to keep Rew at the heart of their batting line‑up, yet England may need to persuade the club to allow him to open, thereby giving the young left‑hander a realistic pathway to the Test arena.
"Can you open the batting for England? That’s really the question," Atherton added. "And whether this balance between what the county wants and needs for its own success and what England maybe want to need and would like for their development is always a tricky balance." Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar concerns.
He referenced a comment from former England and Glamorgan player‑turned‑writer Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset’s door to request an opening role. Hussain warned that moving a player from a comfortable position could disrupt the county side: "That’s the other thing we have to factor in with Somerset is if they start losing players to England. I do think opening is a specialist position." Both former captains examined possible reshuffles.
Atherton noted that historically England has experimented with moving players around the top three positions – Mark Butcher opened at three, Alec Stewart (nicknamed “Gaffer”) also tried the role, and Dan Lawrence was once shifted from the middle order to open, albeit with limited success. "I wouldn’t be shoving Root in from the middle order if that’s where he’s staying," Atherton said.
"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, isn’t there?
And that’s at the top of the order." The statistical picture reinforces the argument. Rew has amassed 379 runs at an impressive average of 75.80, while his nearest rival Jamie Smith sits on 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 numbers illustrate that Rew is not merely a flash in the pan; he is delivering sustained, high‑quality contributions throughout the season.
Beyond the batting conundrum, Atherton also highlighted several bowlers who have caught his eye for future England squads. He praised Sussex’s Henry Crocombe for his developing pace, and pointed to Sam Cook as a bowler who, despite a modest showing in his recent Test debut, possesses the skill set to become a mainstay in the national attack.
"He’s 28 and should be in his prime yet for two or three years and knocking on the door with wickets," Atherton said, adding that Cook faces competition from Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher but still deserves consideration. The broader context is the upcoming home summer, which kicks off with a three‑Test series against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4. England will be looking to field a side that blends experience with fresh talent, and the opening partnership will be a focal point of that strategy.
If Rew can be coaxed into an opening role for Somerset and maintain his scoring rate, the England selectors may have a compelling case to give him a trial at Lord’s. The challenge will be to manage Somerset’s concerns about losing a key batsman while also ensuring England does not compromise its batting stability.
In summary, James Rew stands out as the most prolific run‑getter in the current County Championship, yet the pathway to an England Test debut is blocked by a settled middle order and the need for a specialist opener. Former captains Atherton and Hussain agree that the solution likely lies in reshuffling the top three slots, perhaps by moving Jacob Bethell up the order or by convincing Somerset to let Rew open. The upcoming New Zealand series will provide the first real opportunity for England to test this hypothesis, and all eyes will be on whether Rew can translate his county dominance into success on the world stage.