Three weeks into the county championship season, one name is dominating England selection conversations. James Rew's explosive start to 2026 has thrust the Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman firmly into Test contention, creating both excitement and a significant tactical headache for the selectors ahead of the New Zealand series.
The Numbers Don't Lie
At just 22 years old, Rew has accumulated 379 runs across five innings this season, trailing only Jamie Smith in the early-season run charts. More impressively, he's reached fifty in four of those five knocks, including a commanding century against Nottinghamshire that marked his 12th first-class hundred. To put that achievement in perspective, Rew now equals Zak Crawley's career tally of centuries, despite being significantly younger.
With a first-class average approaching 44 from 60 matches, Rew's consistency cannot be ignored. The betting markets have already responded, with his England debut odds shortening considerably following each impressive innings this season.
The Opening Conundrum
England's most pressing selection issue centres on finding a reliable opening partner, particularly with question marks surrounding certain positions. However, Rew presents a square peg for what appears to be a round hole. Throughout his 60 first-class appearances, the left-hander has never opened the batting, typically featuring at number three or lower in Somerset's order.
His limited opening experience comes from List A cricket, where he's shown promise with a century and a score of 96 from just four attempts. Somerset coach Jason Kerr has publicly stated that Rew "absolutely" possesses the skills to open for England, highlighting his mental toughness and traditional approach to batting construction.
Technical Attributes and Character
Those close to the Somerset camp describe Rew as an old-school batsman who relishes occupying the crease when circumstances demand patience. Yet he's not without modern touches, regularly employing the reverse sweep to disrupt bowlers' plans. This combination of classical technique and contemporary innovation could prove invaluable against New Zealand's experienced pace attack.
The comparison with Dan Lawrence's failed opening experiment 18 months ago serves as a cautionary tale. Asking any player to debut in an unfamiliar position against quality international bowling represents a significant gamble. However, Rew's temperament and technique may be better suited to the challenge than previous candidates.
Future Pathways
England Lions fixtures against South Africa A in May could provide the perfect testing ground for Rew's opening credentials. This would allow selectors to evaluate his suitability without the immediate pressure of Test debut expectations.
Interestingly, Somerset's internal dynamics may soon resolve the positional question naturally. With younger brother Thomas potentially taking the wicketkeeping gloves after completing his A-levels this summer, James could find himself moving up Somerset's batting order regardless of England considerations.
The selectors face a delicious dilemma: do they accommodate one of county cricket's most promising talents by reshuffling their established order, or wait for his domestic role to evolve naturally? Either way, Rew's England debut feels increasingly inevitable rather than aspirational.
