The conversation about who might earn a place in England's Test side has been heating up, with former captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain weighing in on the rising profile of James Rew. The 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman has been a revelation in the County Championship, posting numbers that place him right behind Jamie Smith as the most prolific run‑getter in the competition. Yet, despite his impressive tally, the pathway to an England cap is anything but straightforward because the current middle order is already well‑set with established names such as Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes.
Rew’s situation illustrates a classic dilemma for England selectors: how to accommodate a hot‑handed county performer when the senior squad appears locked in. At present, the most realistic route for Rew appears to be an opening berth for Somerset. By moving up the order, he could directly challenge the under‑performing top‑order pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, both of whom have struggled for consistency this season.
If Somerset were to promote Rew to the opening slot, it would not only give the youngster a chance to showcase his technique against the new ball but also provide England with a potential alternative should the current openers falter. Atherton, speaking on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, highlighted the paradox. "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." He went on to stress the delicate balance between a county’s own ambitions and the national team’s developmental needs, noting that any decision to shift Rew’s role would have to serve both Somerset’s championship campaign and England’s long‑term plans. Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar sentiments. Referring to a comment by former Glamorgan player‑turned‑writer Steve James, he said, "Rew should be knocking on the door at Somerset and asking them to open the batting, but he’s done so well at four, then they could just turn to him and say, ‘we’ll do what’s best for us’." He added that opening the innings is a specialist skill and that losing a player of Rew’s calibre to international duty could have repercussions for Somerset’s own title hopes. "If they start losing players to England, that’s a factor we have to consider," Hussain warned.
Both former captains also touched on the historical context of England’s opening options. Atherton recalled the days when Mark Butcher and Alec Stewart were shuffled around the top of the order, and he noted that the national side has often experimented with placing a middle‑order batsman at three, with mixed results. "I wouldn’t be shoving Root in from the middle order if that’s where he’s staying. They did it with Dan Lawrence – it wasn’t a success – but you felt they were just keeping the seat warm there.
You have to be batting in the top three to be considered for an England opening spot," he asserted. Statistically, Rew’s numbers are hard to ignore. He has amassed 379 runs at an average of 75.80, sitting just behind Smith’s 396 runs at a perfect 99.00. The gap between them is narrow, and both are out‑scoring many established county names.
For context, Tom Abell has 337 runs at 56.16, Joe Clarke 273 at 68.25, Oliver Cox 266 at 88.66, and Ben Foakes 255 at an astonishing 127.50. These figures underline the depth of talent emerging from the domestic circuit and the challenge selectors face in fitting new blood into a relatively settled senior side. Beyond Rew, Atherton used the podcast to highlight other county performers who could soon be in the England frame. He praised Somerset’s Sonny Baker for his pace and wicket‑taking ability, Sussex’s Henry Crocombe for his rapid development, and highlighted Sam Cook’s resilience after a disappointing spell at Edgbaston.
Cook, now 28, is entering what many consider the prime years for a fast bowler and could be knocking on the door of regular Test selection if he maintains his form. Atherton also mentioned the competition from Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher, suggesting that England’s fast‑bowling stocks are deep and competitive.
The broader picture for England’s summer schedule adds urgency to these discussions. The home series against New Zealand begins on 4 June at Lord’s, and the selectors will need to finalize a squad that balances experience with fresh talent. If Rew receives a call‑up, England may face a tactical puzzle: where to slot a prolific left‑handed batsman who has primarily batted at four for his county. The logical solution, as both Atherton and Hussain hinted, would be to trial him as an opener, thereby preserving the existing middle‑order structure while giving Rew a clear role.
In summary, James Rew’s case encapsulates the modern challenges of English cricket selection. His run‑scoring prowess in the County Championship makes a compelling argument for inclusion, yet entrenched senior players and the specialist nature of opening the innings create barriers.
The next few weeks, particularly the Somerset versus Essex clash on Sky Sports Cricket, will be crucial for Rew to demonstrate that he can adapt to the demands of top‑order Test batting. Should he succeed, England could have a versatile, left‑handed option ready to step in, potentially reshaping the top of the order and providing a fresh dynamic for the upcoming New Zealand series.