The conversation surrounding England's upcoming Test lineup has turned sharply toward the performances of a young Somerset batsman named James Rew. In recent weeks, former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain have taken to the Sky Sports Cricket podcast to dissect Rew's impact in the County Championship and to weigh the practicalities of fitting him into a national side that already appears set in its middle order. Their analysis offers a clear picture of why Rew is being mentioned, what obstacles stand in his way, and what possible routes could lead him to Lord's for the first Test against New Zealand on June 4.
Rew's statistics speak for themselves. At 22 years old, he is the second‑most prolific run‑scorer in the current County Championship, trailing only behind Jamie Smith. His aggregate of 379 runs at an average of 75.80 places him among the elite of the domestic circuit, a remarkable achievement for a player still in the early stages of his professional career.
Yet, despite this impressive haul, the England middle order appears largely locked in place. The established trio of Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes, together with the emerging Jacob Bethell, have all cemented their positions through consistent performances at both county and international level. This congestion leaves Rew with limited avenues for entry, prompting both pundits and the Somerset coaching staff to contemplate a shift in his role. One of the most plausible solutions, according to Atherton, is to consider Rew as an opening batsman for England.
"James Rew is getting lots of runs and playing really well," Atherton said on the podcast. "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." In other words, the opening slot could become a natural gateway for Rew, particularly if the current openers—Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett—continue to struggle for form.
Atherton emphasised that the balance between county priorities and national ambitions is delicate. Somerset would need to weigh the benefit of giving Rew the chance to open for England against the potential disruption to their own batting order. Hussain echoed similar concerns but added a layer of strategic nuance. He referenced former player‑turned‑writer Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be "knocking on the door at Somerset and asking them to open the batting" as a way of preparing for higher honours.
Hussain noted, "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." The implication is clear: Somerset must decide whether to sacrifice short‑term stability for the long‑term development of a player who could become a national asset. The discussion then shifted to the practicalities of reshuffling the England top order.
Both Atherton and Hussain explored the idea of moving Jacob Bethell up the ladder, perhaps even to the opening position, while slotting Rew at number three. However, this scenario encounters a further obstacle: Joe Root's reluctance to move down from his preferred number four spot. "The problem is obviously Root doesn't want to move from four," Hussain observed, highlighting the entrenched nature of senior players' roles within the side. This creates a puzzle for the selectors—how to accommodate a high‑performing newcomer without unsettling the established hierarchy.
Atherton underscored another key point: a player typically needs to have experience opening at the county level before being thrust into the same role for England. "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. I think you've got to be batting in the top three," he said. In other words, the pathway to an England opening berth likely requires Rew to demonstrate his ability to face the new ball consistently for Somerset. If he can prove his mettle in that capacity, the national selectors may feel more comfortable offering him a spot at the top of the order.
Beyond the batting conundrum, the podcast also touched on other emerging talents in the County Championship who could influence England's selection decisions. Atherton highlighted the impressive form of Sonny Baker, a quick‑bowling prospect, and Henry Crocombe of Sussex, describing both as "improving young fast bowlers." He also praised Sam Cook, a 28‑year‑old seamer who, despite a quiet performance in his recent Test debut, has shown the potential to become a mainstay in the England attack.
Cook's competition includes the likes of Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher, but Atherton believes Cook is entering his prime and could be knocking on the door for regular Test selection. The broader context of the upcoming summer series adds urgency to these discussions.
England's home schedule begins with a three‑Test series against New Zealand at Lord's on June 4, followed by a packed calendar of international fixtures. The selectors will be under pressure to field a side that balances experience with fresh talent, especially given the high expectations of the English public and the financial stakes tied to broadcasting deals with Sky Sports and NOW.
In summary, James Rew's case for England selection hinges on a combination of his outstanding domestic record, the current blockage in the middle order, and the willingness of Somerset to experiment with his role as an opener. If he can translate his County Championship success to the opening position, he could provide England with a reliable top‑order option and relieve the pressure on existing openers who have struggled for consistency.
The next few weeks will be critical: Somerset must decide whether to give Rew the chance to open, while England's selectors will need to weigh the benefits of a youthful, high‑scoring left‑hander against the stability of their current batting lineup. The outcome of this debate will likely shape the composition of the England Test side not only for the New Zealand series but also for the broader international season ahead.