In a remarkable twist for English cricket, 21-year-old James Rew has earned his maiden Test call-up, a reward for his incredible form with Somerset.
His rise in the cricketing world has been nothing short of spectacular, and now, the young batsman has the opportunity to represent England on the international stage.
A Prolific Young Talent
James Rew is quickly becoming one of the most exciting talents in English cricket, having already established himself as the most prolific young centurion since the Second World War.
This achievement was recognized when Rew was named as an injury replacement for Jordan Cox, who unfortunately will miss the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe due to injury.
In what was a significant milestone, Rew became the youngest English cricketer to score 10 first-class centuries since Denis Compton back in 1939.
His consistency with the bat has been extraordinary—out of all the times he has scored a half-century, he’s turned it into a century on all but eight occasions.
A Steady Rise in County Cricket
Rew’s fourth-innings 116 against Essex at Taunton recently marked a key moment in his career, as it played a vital role in Somerset’s thrilling three-wicket chase of a 321-run target.
This innings elevated his County Championship average to an impressive 54.21 this season, highlighting his growing prowess in the longer format.
What’s even more exciting for county fans is that Rew’s call-up is a testament to England’s increasing focus on rewarding domestic form.
With the first squad announcement of the summer, it’s clear that county performances are playing a crucial role in selection, especially with the Test against Zimbabwe coming up at Trent Bridge.
Building a Future with England
Despite his call-up coming as an injury replacement, Rew’s journey to this point has been years in the making.
He first caught the eye in 2021, when, as a 17-year-old debutant, he played a first-class match for a county representative XI against India.
His consistent performances and rapid rise soon led him to the England Lions squad, where he continued to showcase his immense potential.
Rew’s time with the Lions, including his key role in the Under 19s World Cup, where he top-scored with 95 in the final, has laid the foundation for this Test call-up.
He’s eager to learn from his England teammates and coaches and soak in as much knowledge as possible.
“If the opportunity to play presents itself, then obviously I’ll try and take it with both hands,” he shared.
Cox’s Injury Paves the Way for Rew
Sadly for Jordan Cox, Rew’s opportunity comes on the back of an unfortunate injury.
Cox, who had been in line for his own debut in the Zimbabwe Test, suffered a side injury during a match against Somerset.
He had been on the brink of scoring his own century when the injury struck, and scans later revealed a small tear in his abdominal muscle.
Although the injury doesn’t require surgery, it will keep Cox sidelined for several weeks, ruling him out of the upcoming Test.
This marks another setback for Cox, who had missed a debut in New Zealand earlier this year due to a broken thumb.
Looking Ahead
Rew’s focus, however, is now firmly on the present and future.
Having toured Australia with the England Lions last winter, he’s no stranger to international cricket.
He will join the 13-man squad and recovering fast bowler Brydon Carse in London this weekend for a short training camp at Loughborough ahead of the Test series.
With a five-match series against India later in the summer, England’s cricket team is gearing up for a demanding few months.
Rew’s call-up is just one of the many exciting prospects on the horizon for the national team.
Whether he plays in the upcoming Zimbabwe Test or not, it’s clear that this young talent has a bright future ahead.