The conversation around England’s upcoming Test line‑up has taken a fresh turn, with former captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain weighing in on the remarkable form of Somerset’s 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman James Rew. Rew has been the most prolific run‑getter in the County Championship this season, trailing only behind Jamie Smith, and his statistics have sparked a lively debate about whether he deserves a place in the national side. Rew’s tally of runs in the Championship is eye‑catching – 379 runs at an average of 75.80 – and his consistency has made him a headline name among the county circuit’s emerging talents.
Yet the England middle order appears firmly entrenched, with the likes of Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes all holding down regular positions. This reality forces Rew to consider an alternative route to a Test debut: opening the innings for Somerset and thereby presenting England with a potential opening option should the current pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett falter under pressure.
Atherton, speaking on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, highlighted the paradox facing Rew. "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 question whether England would be willing to reshuffle its top order to accommodate a player whose county performances have been so compelling. "Can you open the batting for England? That’s really the question. And 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," Atherton added.
Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed similar concerns. He referenced former England and Glamorgan player‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be knocking on Somerset’s door to claim an opening slot.
"If they’re doing so well at four, they could just turn to him and say, ‘we’ll do what’s best for us’," Hussain said. He warned that Somerset would have to weigh the risk of losing a key batsman to international duty, noting that opening is a specialist role that cannot be handed out lightly. The discussion then drifted to historical precedents.
Atherton recalled that England have previously moved players up the order without great success – Dan Lawrence’s stint at three, for example, was short‑lived. Yet he stressed that a batsman must prove himself in the top three for his county before being considered for a national opening role. "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," Atherton asserted. The practicalities of reshuffling the order were also debated.
Could Bethell be promoted to open and Rew be slotted at three? Would Root, who prefers batting at four, be willing to move? These are the tactical puzzles England’s selectors must solve if they wish to incorporate Rew’s prolific form without destabilising the existing framework.
Beyond Rew, the podcast also highlighted other county performers catching Atherton’s eye ahead of the Surrey versus Essex clash, which will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket. He praised the fast‑bowling potential of Sonny Baker, whose pace and wicket‑taking ability have been impressive, and noted the progress of Sussex’s young paceman Henry Crocombe.
Sam Cook, despite a modest showing at Edgbaston, was described as a bowler who should not be dismissed after a single under‑whelming Test spell. Atherton argued that Cook, now 28, is entering his prime and could become a regular wicket‑taker for England, competing with the likes of Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher. The discussion also touched on the broader landscape of the County Championship.
Jamie Smith leads the run‑scoring charts with 396 runs at a staggering 99.00 average, while other notable names include Tom Abell (337 runs, 56.16), Joe Clarke (273 runs, 68.25) and Oliver Cox (266 runs, 88.66). Even Ben Foakes, traditionally a wicket‑keeper, appears on the list with 255 runs at an extraordinary 127.50 average, underscoring the depth of batting talent available for England to draw from. Looking ahead, England’s first home Test of the summer will be against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4. If Rew earns a call‑up, the selectors will need to decide whether to slot him into the opening pair or find an alternative role that does not disrupt the current hierarchy.
The balance between nurturing county success and fulfilling national ambitions remains a delicate one, and the conversation on the Sky Sports podcast illustrates just how nuanced those decisions can be. For fans eager to follow the developments, Sky Sports will continue its coverage of the County Championship, with live streams, analysis and podcasts offering insight into player form and selection debates.
The network also encourages viewers to follow its WhatsApp channel for real‑time updates, videos and expert commentary. As the summer progresses, the question of whether James Rew can translate his county dominance into a Test debut will remain a focal point for England supporters and pundits alike.