The conversation around England's upcoming Test line‑up has taken a fresh turn thanks to the meteoric rise of James Rew, the 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman who has been tearing up the County Championship this season. Michael Atherton and former England captain Nasser Hussain recently weighed in on a Sky Sports Cricket podcast, dissecting whether Rew’s prolific run‑scoring can translate into a place in the national side and, if so, where he might fit. Rew has been nothing short of a runaway success in the domestic circuit. His tally of runs sits just behind Jamie Smith, making him the second‑most prolific scorer in the competition at the moment.
Yet, despite this impressive haul, the pathway to a Test debut is anything but straightforward. England’s current middle order appears firmly entrenched, with Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes all holding down regular spots. This reality forces Rew to contemplate a different route: could he earn a call‑up by opening the innings for Somerset, thereby providing England with a fresh option at the top of the order? Atherton opened the discussion by acknowledging Rew’s form.
"James Rew is getting lots of runs and playing really well," he said, before noting the bottleneck in the middle order. "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." The former England captain highlighted a key strategic dilemma for the national selectors. If Rew does earn a place, the first Test of the summer—against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4—could force England to juggle where to slot a new opening batsman without disrupting the existing balance.
Atherton pointed out the delicate equilibrium between a county’s ambitions and the needs of the national side: "Whether this balance between what the county wants and needs for its own success and what England maybe want to need and would like for their development is always a tricky balance." Hussain, who led England from 1999 to 2003, added his perspective on the practicalities of reshuffling the batting order. He referenced a comment from former England and Glamorgan player‑turned‑writer Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset’s door to claim an opening slot. Hussain agreed that Somerset would have to weigh the benefits of keeping a prolific run‑maker at four against the potential national gain of moving him to the top. "I do think opening is a specialist position," he remarked, underscoring the importance of experience at the very start of an innings.
The discussion then drifted to the broader context of county cricket and its relationship with the England team. Both pundits cited examples of past experiments with the order. Atherton recalled Mark Butcher’s stint at three, Alec Stewart’s occasional opening duties, and the mixed results of Dan Lawrence’s promotion to the top.
"I wouldn’t be shoving Root in from the middle order if that’s where he’s staying," Atherton warned, emphasizing that any reshuffle should be natural rather than forced. One of the more intriguing scenarios raised was the possibility of moving Jacob Bethell up to open, thereby slotting Rew at number three. This would preserve Root’s preferred position at four while still creating a top‑order opening partnership that includes the in‑form Rew.
However, as Hussain noted, the feasibility of such a move depends on the willingness of established players to adapt: "The problem is obviously Root doesn’t want to move from four, so it is an interesting question." Beyond the batting conundrum, the podcast also touched on other emerging talents in the County Championship who could catch the eye of the national selectors. Atherton mentioned a handful of bowlers performing well in Division One and Two, such as Sonny Baker, a quick‑bowling prospect, and Henry Crocombe, a promising young pacer from Sussex.
He also highlighted Sam Cook, who, despite a quiet performance in his most recent Test, remains a strong candidate for future selection due to his age and potential for a few more peak years. The statistical snapshot provided during the show reinforced Rew’s credentials: James Rew had amassed 379 runs at an average of 75.80, trailing only Jamie Smith’s 396 runs at a 99.00 average.
Other notable performers included Tom Abell (337 runs, 56.16), Joe Clarke (273 runs, 68.25) and Oliver Cox (266 runs, 88.66). These figures illustrate the depth of talent bubbling up through the county system and the tough choices facing England’s selection panel.
In summary, James Rew’s case for England hinges on two main factors. First, his run‑scoring consistency and ability to dominate county bowling attacks make a compelling argument for inclusion. Second, the structural constraints of the current England batting order mean that an opening slot is the most realistic gateway for a newcomer. If Somerset decides to promote Rew to the top of their line‑up, it could simultaneously strengthen their own championship campaign and provide England with a ready‑made opening option for the New Zealand series.
The broader takeaway from the discussion is that the relationship between county performance and Test selection is increasingly nuanced. While raw numbers are essential, selectors must also consider team balance, player adaptability, and the long‑term development pathways for both the individual and the national side.
As the County Championship progresses and the summer schedule approaches, all eyes will be on Rew’s positioning at Somerset and on whether the England management will take the plunge to give the young left‑hander his first taste of Test cricket.