“Could he do that at the top of the order for England? Absolutely.”
TAUNTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: James Rew of Somerset makes their way off at the end of Day Three of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match between Somerset and Nottinghamshire at The Cooper Associates County Ground on April 05, 2026 in Taunton, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
Somerset head coach Jason Kerr has backed in-form James Rew to open the batting for England in this summer’s Test matches, writes Alex Smith .
Changes to the established line-up are expected following the 4-1 Ashes thrashing in Australia over the winter, and Somerset wicketkeeper Rew is one player in contention to make the step up.
Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett struggled Down Under, and the former has made only 60 runs in four Championship knocks for Kent so far this summer, while Duckett made just 26 in his sole outing for Nottinghamshire.
In contrast, Rew, 22, above, has hit more than 300 runs so far this season, second only to incumbent England wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith.
(Image: Getty Images)
Rew has batted mainly at four for Somerset but, after watching him make 86 in his side’s first innings at Hampshire, Kerr said Rew was capable of opening.
Asked if he thought Rew could open for Somerset, Kerr admitted: “It is in my head, but we have to do what is right for the team. What I don’t want to do is compromise his opportunity of playing for England.
“He’s got to score a volume of runs, and that is what he is doing. The thing to recognise is the way he is doing it. Could he do that at the top of the order for England? Absolutely.”