The conversation about who might break into England's Test side has shifted to the County Championship, where former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain weighed in on the rising talent of James Rew. Rew, a 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman for Somerset, is currently the second‑most prolific run‑scorer in the domestic competition, trailing only Jamie Smith. His impressive tally of 379 runs at an average of 75.80 has put him firmly on the radar of the national selectors, yet the path to a Test debut is anything but straightforward. England’s current middle order appears set in stone.
The combination of Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes has been a mainstay for the past few seasons, leaving little room for a newcomer to slot in at positions three, four or five. As a result, the most realistic avenue for Rew to earn a place may be as an opening batsman. Somerset, which has traditionally relied on experienced openers, could be persuaded to move Rew up the order, especially if the team wishes to give him exposure against the likes of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who have struggled for consistency this year.
During a recent episode of the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Atherton highlighted the paradox facing Rew. "He’s scoring runs for a living, but the middle order is essentially locked," the former captain said. "If you want to get into the England side you have to look at opening. I don’t see Crawley getting a call‑up, so there’s a vacancy there.
The question is whether the county will let him open and whether England will be willing to accommodate a specialist opener from the county game." Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, added a historical perspective. He referenced former Glamorgan player‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset’s door to claim the opening slot. "Somerset have to balance their own ambitions with the national team’s needs," Hussain said. "Opening is a specialist role, and if the county starts losing players to England, they’ll have to decide whether to keep a promising youngster at three or move him up." Both former captains agreed that the decision hinges on more than just statistics.
Atherton argued that a player must demonstrate the ability to bat in the top three for his county before being trusted to open for England. "You don’t just pluck someone out of the middle order and thrust them into the top of the Test line‑up," he explained.
"We tried that with Dan Lawrence and it didn’t work. Consistency at the top of the domestic order is essential." Hussain raised a tactical scenario: could Jacob Bethell, who usually bats at three, be shifted to open while Rew moves to the number three slot? The problem, according to Hussain, is that Joe Root is unlikely to vacate his preferred position at four, making any reshuffle a delicate puzzle for the England coaching staff. "It’s an interesting question, but you have to consider the balance of the entire side," he said.
The statistical picture reinforces Rew’s case. In the current County Championship season, Jamie Smith leads with 396 runs at an average of 99.00, followed closely by Rew’s 379 runs. Behind them are Tom Abell (337 runs, 56.16), Joe Clarke (273 runs, 68.25) and Oliver Cox (266 runs, 88.66). Even Ben Foakes, a regular England Test player, has a lower aggregate at 255 runs, albeit with an impressive 127.50 average, indicating that Rew is performing at a level comparable with established internationals.
Beyond the batting discussion, Atherton used the podcast to spotlight other emerging talents. He praised Sussex’s Henry Crocombe for his developing pace, highlighted Sonny Baker’s lively bowling, and defended Sam Cook, a 28‑year‑old fast bowler who struggled in a recent Test but has shown promise in the county circuit. Atherton noted that Cook’s occasional off‑day should not eclipse his overall potential, especially when he competes with the likes of Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher for a place in the national squad.
The broader context is England’s upcoming home summer, which begins with a three‑Test series against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4. The selectors will be under pressure to field a side that balances experience with fresh talent. If Rew can adapt to opening in the County Championship and continue to dominate bowlers, he could become the answer to England’s opening dilemma, especially if Crawley’s form continues to dip. In summary, James Rew’s case for a Test call‑up rests on three pillars: his prolific run‑scoring, the need for a specialist opener in the England lineup, and his willingness to adapt his role at Somerset.
Both Atherton and Hussain acknowledge the challenges but also recognise the potential upside. The next few weeks will be crucial: if Somerset experiments with Rew at the top of the order and he thrives, the England selectors may have a compelling argument to hand him a debut at Lord’s.
Until then, the debate will continue on podcasts, in the press, and on the field, as England seeks to blend proven performers with the next generation of talent.