Every now and then, English cricket uncovers a gem—a young player whose numbers, attitude, and style suggest they’re made for the international stage.
This week, that gem is James Rew, a 21-year-old left-hander from Somerset whose meteoric rise just earned him a spot in England’s Test squad.
Rew’s call-up comes not just as a reward for jaw-dropping domestic performances, but as a reflection of England’s growing willingness to recognize County Championship form.
And it couldn’t have come at a more dramatic moment.
A Century That Sealed His Fate
Hours before he got the call, Rew was busy chasing down a seemingly unreachable fourth-innings target against Essex.
His composed 116 helped Somerset complete a thrilling three-wicket victory and took his season average to a commanding 54.21.
That knock also marked his tenth first-class century—a milestone that makes him the youngest Englishman to achieve the feat since Denis Compton in 1939.
And here’s the kicker: he’s only failed to convert a fifty into a hundred on eight occasions. No wonder fans are starting to nickname him “Rewthless.”
A Sudden Twist for Jordan Cox
Of course, one man’s breakthrough can be another’s heartbreak.
Rew was brought in as a last-minute replacement for Jordan Cox, who suffered a side injury while sweeping during that very match against Somerset.
Despite notching up a century of his own, Cox ended up with a 4mm abdominal tear that’s ruled him out of England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe on May 22 at Trent Bridge.
The setback doesn’t require surgery, but it’s another unfortunate chapter for Cox, who also missed a New Zealand tour due to a broken thumb earlier this year.
He’s now aiming for a comeback in the T20 Blast in early June.
A Long Time Coming for Rew
While this is Rew’s first senior England call-up, the cricket world has had its eye on him for years.
He first popped onto the radar in 2021 when, at just 17, he was thrown into a first-class match for a county rep team against India.
That debut made waves, and within a year he was already being fast-tracked into England Lions setups.
In the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, Rew once again proved his mettle by top-scoring in the final with 95 runs, helping England to a runner-up finish.
He also toured Australia with the England Lions last winter and has steadily built a case for selection—one match-winning innings at a time.
A Humble Start to His Test Journey
Rew is joining the England squad as batting cover, which means he’s not guaranteed to play—but he’s just one minor injury or illness away from becoming England’s 719th Test cricketer and the 16th of the Bazball era.
“I’m just going to enjoy the experience and learn as much as I can,” Rew said after the announcement.
“If the opportunity to play comes up, I’ll grab it with both hands.
But even just being part of this environment is going to be incredible.”
England Signals Faith in County Performers
Rew’s selection also sends a clear message to players grinding it out in the County Championship: performances matter.
With head coach Brendon McCullum and men’s director of cricket Rob Key keeping close tabs on domestic games, there’s a renewed sense that doing the hard work at home can lead to international chances.
The squad will meet in London this weekend before heading to Loughborough for a brief training camp.
With a jam-packed summer ahead—including a massive five-match series against India—this is just the beginning of a very big stage for England’s red-ball team.