The conversation about who might earn a place in England's Test side has turned to the young Somerset batsman James Rew, with former captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain weighing in on his chances. Rew has been the most prolific run‑getter in the County Championship this season, second only to Jamie Smith, and 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 pathway to a Test debut is anything but straightforward because England’s current middle order appears to be set in stone. Established names such as Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and the emerging Jacob Bethell have all cemented their places, leaving little room for a newcomer in the traditional four‑man middle‑order slot. Because of that bottleneck, the most realistic route for Rew may be to convert his success at the county level into an opening position for Somerset.
If Somerset were to promote him to the top of the order, it would not only give Rew experience in a role that England might need, but it would also create a direct comparison with the two England openers who are currently under scrutiny – Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Both have struggled for consistency, and a fresh, left‑handed option could be an attractive alternative for the England management ahead of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on 4 June. During a recent episode of the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Atherton praised Rew’s run‑scoring ability, noting that the youngster is “getting lots of runs and playing really well.” However, he also highlighted the structural problem: “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.” Atherton went on to stress the delicate balance between a county’s own ambitions and the national team’s developmental needs, describing the situation as “always a tricky balance.” Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar concerns. He referenced former Glamorgan player‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset’s door to request an opening slot. Hussain warned that if Somerset were to lose players to England, the county would need to consider the specialist nature of opening. He cited historical examples, recalling how Mark Butcher and Alec Stewart had both opened for England and how Dan Lawrence’s experiment in the middle order had not yielded the desired results.
Hussain argued that Rew’s consistency – “he’s getting so many runs and you just watch him bat and some of the positions and how late he plays the ball” – makes him a strong candidate, but the logistics of reshuffling the existing order remain complex. One of the key dilemmas is whether Jacob Bethell, who currently bats at three, could be moved up to open, thereby freeing a slot for Rew at three. This would, however, require Joe Root to stay at four, a position he is unlikely to abandon. The conversation therefore pivots on whether England can afford to experiment with the top three spots or whether they will stick with the status quo until a clear crisis forces a change.
Beyond the opening‑bat discussion, Atherton also used the platform to highlight other county performers who could be on England’s shortlist. He mentioned fast‑bowling prospects such as Sonny Baker, whose pace and wicket‑taking ability have impressed, and Henry Crocombe, a young Sussex pacer showing steady improvement.
Sam Cook, despite a quiet showing in his recent Test debut, was defended by Atherton as a bowler with “prime years” ahead of him, capable of competing with the likes of Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher for a place in the England attack. The veteran also praised Jimmy Anderson’s continued dominance in Division Two, where the Lancashire legend is still leading the wicket‑taking charts.
The broader context of the 2026 County Championship adds another layer to the debate. With the competition’s fixtures and tables constantly evolving, performances are under intense scrutiny from both selectors and the media.
Sky Sports, the broadcaster of the championship, provides live coverage and analysis, and its cricket podcast has become a key forum for discussing emerging talent. The network encourages fans to follow updates via WhatsApp and its app, ensuring that discussions about players like Rew reach a wide audience.
In summary, James Rew’s case for an England Test call‑up hinges on several interrelated factors: his extraordinary run‑scoring in the County Championship, the current congestion in the national middle order, the potential for Somerset to promote him to an opening role, and the strategic preferences of the England coaching staff. If Somerset can successfully transition Rew to the top of the order, he would not only address the immediate need for a reliable opener but also give the England selectors a clear, in‑form option for the upcoming series against New Zealand.
Until then, the debate will continue on podcasts, in newspaper columns, and around the dressing rooms of county grounds across the country.