The conversation about who might earn a place in England's Test side has turned to the impressive performances of James Rew, a 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman who has been lighting up the County Championship for Somerset. While the current middle order – featuring the likes of Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – appears firmly entrenched, Rew’s prolific run‑scoring has sparked speculation that his best pathway to an England call‑up could be through the opening slot. By taking on the role of opener for Somerset, he could provide a viable alternative to the struggling pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who have yet to cement their places at the top of the order. Rew’s statistics this season place him just behind Jamie Smith in the run‑scoring charts, with 379 runs at an average of 75.80.
If the England selectors decide to reward his form, they will face a logistical puzzle: where to slot a young opener into a Test XI that is already set for the first match against New Zealand at Lord’s on 4 June. In a recent episode of the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain unpacked the dilemma. Atherton opened by acknowledging Rew’s consistency: “He’s piling up runs and looks very comfortable in the Championship, but the middle order is essentially locked. The only realistic opening in the national side appears to be the vacancy left by Crawley, who I doubt will be selected.
The real question is whether England will trust a county opener to step straight into the Test arena.” He added that the balance between a county’s own ambitions and England’s developmental needs is always a delicate one. Hussain, who led England from 1999 to 2003, echoed the sentiment and cited former Glamorgan player‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should press Somerset for an opening berth. “If Somerset are willing to move him up, they could simply say ‘we’ll do what’s best for the team’, and that could open the door for England,” Hussain said. He warned, however, that losing a top‑order talent to international duty could hurt Somerset’s own campaign, and he stressed that opening the batting is a specialist role that should not be taken lightly.
Both former captains referenced historical precedents. Atherton noted that England has previously promoted players from the middle order to open – Mark Butcher and Alec Stewart are examples – but those moves were often made out of necessity rather than long‑term planning. He argued that a player needs to have a proven record of opening for his county before being entrusted with the same responsibility at the national level. “You don’t just pluck a number‑four and thrust him into the opening slot.
It has to be someone who has already shown he can handle the new‑ball pressure in the domestic game,” he explained. Hussain raised the possibility of a reshuffle: moving Bethell up the order and slotting Rew at number three. Yet he recognised the practical barrier – Joe Root is unlikely to abandon his established position at four, and any rearrangement would ripple through the entire batting line‑up.
“It’s an interesting puzzle,” Hussain admitted, “but the core issue remains: England need a genuine opener, and Rew might be the answer if Somerset give him the chance to prove it.” Beyond the batting discussion, Atherton used the platform to highlight other emerging county talents who could bolster England’s ranks. He praised Sussex’s Henry Crocombe for his developing pace, and he singled out Sam Cook of Warwickshire, noting that a single off‑day in a Test should not define a bowler’s future. “Cook is 28, entering his prime, and he’s knocking on the door with the ability to take wickets consistently,” Atherton said.
He also mentioned the impressive performances of Jimmy Anderson in Division Two, who continues to lead Lancashire’s attack with a steady haul of wickets. The broader context of the County Championship 2026 adds further intrigue. With the tables shaping up and several teams jostling for promotion, the pressure on counties to retain their best players is mounting. Somerset, in particular, must decide whether to protect Rew for their own title aspirations or to support his ambition of an England debut.
The decision could set a precedent for how counties manage the tension between domestic success and feeding the national side. For fans eager to follow the debate, Sky Sports will broadcast live coverage of the County Championship and the upcoming England home summer, starting with the three‑Test series against New Zealand.
The network also offers a dedicated cricket podcast, a mobile app, and a WhatsApp channel for real‑time updates, analysis, and video highlights. While the platform recommends using Chrome for optimal video playback, the content remains accessible across major browsers.
In summary, James Rew’s case exemplifies the challenges England faces in refreshing its Test batting lineup. His record in the Championship is undeniable, yet the pathway to an England cap is blocked by an entrenched middle order and the strategic considerations of both the national selectors and his county. If Somerset grants him the opening role, Rew could present a compelling option for the England team, potentially reshaping the top of the order ahead of the New Zealand series.
Until then, the cricketing community will continue to watch his progress closely, hoping that his talent translates into a long‑term role at the highest level.