The conversation around England's upcoming Test lineup has turned sharply toward a young talent from Somerset: James Rew. Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain recently weighed in on the left‑handed batsman's form in the County Championship and what it might mean for the national side.
Rew, who is only 22, currently tops the run‑scoring charts in the first‑class game, second only to Jamie Smith, and his prolific numbers have sparked a lively debate about whether he could break into a middle order that already appears set with the likes of Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes. At present, England’s middle order looks fairly entrenched. Root, Brook and Stokes are all established in the top six, and Bethell has been earmarked as a future all‑round option. This leaves Rew with a narrower path to the Test arena: he may need to reinvent himself as an opener for Somerset, thereby creating a case for England to consider him at the top of the order, especially if the current openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett continue to struggle for consistency.
Atherton highlighted this on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, noting that "James Rew is getting lots of runs and playing really well. 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 added that the real question is whether Rew can transition from a middle‑order role in county cricket to an opening slot at the international level. Hussain, who captained England from 1999 to 2003, echoed the sentiment but also warned about the practicalities for Somerset. He quoted former Glamorgan player‑turned‑journalist Steve James, who suggested that Rew should be "knocking on the door" at his county and asking to be promoted to opener.
Hussain said, "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." He reflected on the historical flexibility of England’s top order, mentioning how Mark Butcher and Alec Stewart both opened at different times, and how Dan Lawrence was tried at three with limited success. The underlying point was clear: Rew’s abundant runs and his ability to play late, soft‑handed strokes make him a compelling candidate, but the England selectors will need to juggle county priorities and national needs.
The statistical picture reinforces the discussion. In the current County Championship, Jamie Smith leads with 396 runs at an average of 99.00, while Rew sits close behind with 379 runs at 75.80. Other notable performers include Tom Abell (337 runs, 56.16), Joe Clarke (273 runs, 68.25) and Oliver Cox (266 runs, 88.66). These figures underline the depth of talent in the domestic game, but also illustrate why the selectors must make difficult choices about who gets the limited Test spots.
Atherton also stressed the importance of a player being accustomed to 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 argued. In his view, a young cricketer aiming for the national side should ideally secure a top‑three spot for his county side first, as this demonstrates the requisite temperament and technique for facing the new ball.
Beyond the batting conversation, Atherton used the podcast to highlight other emerging county players who could catch the eye of the England selectors. He praised Sonny Baker for his quick pace and wicket‑taking ability, and pointed to Henry Crocombe of Sussex as an improving fast bowler. Sam Cook, despite a modest showing in his recent Test debut at Edgbaston, was described as a bowler with potential who should not be dismissed after a single performance.
Atherton noted that Cook, now 28, is entering his prime years and could become a regular feature in the England attack, alongside established names like Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher. He also highlighted Jimmy Anderson’s dominance in Division Two, where the veteran spinner continues to rack up wickets for Lancashire. The broader context for Rew’s situation is the upcoming home summer, which kicks off with a three‑Test series against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
England will be looking to field a balanced side that can both defend the Ashes legacy and nurture new talent. If Rew earns a call‑up, the selectors will have to decide where to slot him. One possibility is to promote him to the opening slot, perhaps moving Bethell up the order or reshuffling Root’s position.
Another is to keep him as a flexible middle‑order option, but that would likely require displacing an established player, a move that could disrupt team chemistry. In summary, James Rew’s prolific run‑making in the County Championship has placed him squarely in the conversation about England’s future Test batting. While the current middle order appears settled, the opening positions may present an opening for the 22‑year‑old left‑hander, provided Somerset are willing to give him the chance to open and England’s selectors are prepared to accommodate a newcomer at the top of the order.
As the Sky Sports Cricket podcast highlighted, the balance between county needs and national ambitions is delicate, but the talent pool is deep, and Rew’s performance suggests he could be the next name knocking on England’s Test door.