Who is James Rew? Somerset Star Earns Historic England Call-up for Zimbabwe Test

James Rew’s Surprise England Call-up

Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman James Rew has received his first senior England call-up for the upcoming one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the selection on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the 21-year-old’s promising career. Rew will join the England squad for the Test match scheduled to begin on May 22, 2025.

This selection represents a remarkable achievement for the young Somerset talent, who has been steadily building his reputation in the County Championship with consistent performances. The call-up comes as England begins preparations for their home international season, with the Zimbabwe Test serving as an important warm-up before a more challenging five-match Test series against India later in the summer.

Replacing Jordan Cox Due to Injury

Rew’s opportunity comes following an unfortunate injury to Jordan Cox, the 24-year-old Essex batsman who was initially selected as a reserve batsman for the Zimbabwe Test. Cox suffered an abdominal strain while scoring a century in Essex’s County Championship defeat to Somerset last Sunday—ironically in a match where Rew also performed brilliantly.

This represents another setback in Cox’s international ambitions, as he was previously poised to make his Test debut last November against New Zealand but was denied the opportunity after fracturing his thumb during pre-match practice. The recurring injury issues have opened the door for Rew to step into the England setup earlier than might have been expected.

The timing of Cox’s injury is particularly unfortunate as it came during an excellent performance against Somerset where he demonstrated his potential value to the England team with a fine century. However, the ECB’s medical team advised against his inclusion in the Zimbabwe Test squad, creating this opportunity for the promising Somerset youngster.

James Rew has been in exceptional form this season, maintaining an impressive batting average of 54.21 in the County Championship First Division. (Photo: Somerset CCC)

James Rew’s Impressive Cricket Statistics

James Rew’s selection is backed by impressive domestic statistics that have marked him as one of English cricket’s most exciting young talents. In his first-class career spanning 45 matches, Rew has accumulated over 2,600 runs at an exceptional average of 43.35—statistics that stand out particularly for a player of his youth.

In the current First Division County Championship season, Rew has maintained outstanding form with a batting average of 54.21. His highest score of 152 this season demonstrates his ability to produce substantial innings, while his recent match-winning 116 against Essex—ironically in the same match where Cox injured himself—further underscored his capabilities under pressure.

As a wicketkeeper-batsman, Rew offers England additional flexibility in their squad composition. While Jamie Smith is likely to retain the gloves for the Zimbabwe Test, Rew’s keeping skills provide valuable backup while his primary selection appears to be on the strength of his batting performances. This dual capability makes him an especially valuable addition to the squad as England begins to look toward future team compositions.

Record-Breaking Achievements at a Young Age

At just 21 years of age, James Rew has already etched his name in English cricket history books. He has become the youngest English player since the legendary Denis Compton to achieve the milestone of 10 first-class centuries—a remarkable achievement that places him in the company of one of England’s greatest-ever cricketers.

Compton, who played for England between 1937 and 1957, was known for his prolific run-scoring and elegant batting style. The comparison to such a revered figure in English cricket history underscores the potential that selectors see in Rew and explains the excitement surrounding his development in the domestic game.

While many young cricketers show flashes of brilliance, Rew’s consistency and ability to convert starts into substantial innings are what have particularly impressed county cricket observers. His capacity to score centuries regularly—a skill that many talented batsmen never fully develop—suggests a mental fortitude that could serve him well at the international level.

Previous International Experience

Although this marks Rew’s first call-up to the senior England squad, he is not without international experience. Rew spent the northern winter with England Lions in Australia, gaining valuable exposure to higher-level cricket and different playing conditions. This experience with England’s development team will have prepared him somewhat for the step up to full international cricket.

Prior to his Lions involvement, Rew was part of the England team that reached the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2022, further demonstrating that he has been on the England pathway for some time. His progression through the England age-group and development system reflects a player who has long been identified as having potential for the highest level.

The experience gained with the Lions and at the U19 World Cup will be invaluable as Rew prepares to potentially make his Test debut. The familiarity with England setups, coaching personnel, and team environments should help ease his transition to the senior squad, allowing him to focus on his cricket rather than being overwhelmed by an entirely new environment.

The Upcoming Zimbabwe Test at Trent Bridge

The one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge will mark the beginning of England’s 2025 international home season. While Zimbabwe is not ranked among the top Test nations, the match provides an important opportunity for England to fine-tune their preparations before the more demanding five-Test series against India that follows.

For Rew, the Zimbabwe Test offers a potentially less pressurized environment for a potential Test debut, should he be selected in the final XI. Rew will join the pre-series training camp next week, where he’ll have the opportunity to impress the coaching staff and push for inclusion in the starting team.

Trent Bridge in Nottingham is known for conditions that can assist both seam bowlers and batsmen, depending on weather and pitch preparation. The venue’s reputation for swing bowling means that if Rew does make his debut, he’ll face a solid examination of his technique against the moving ball—a valuable test for any aspiring Test batsman.

Trent Bridge in Nottingham will host the one-off Test between England and Zimbabwe beginning May 22, 2025, potentially marking James Rew’s Test debut. (Photo: Getty Images)

Complete England Squad for Zimbabwe Test

James Rew joins a strong England Test squad led by captain Ben Stokes. The full England squad for the Zimbabwe Test combines experienced international players with emerging talents, reflecting England’s desire to balance immediate performance with long-term development.

Notable in the squad composition is the continuing emphasis on youth and development, with several players still in the early stages of their international careers. Alongside established stars like Joe Root and Ben Stokes, the inclusion of younger talents like Rew, Bashir, and Atkinson signals England’s commitment to building for the future while remaining competitive in the present.

Whether Rew makes the final XI or not, his inclusion in the squad represents an important milestone in his career and serves as recognition of his outstanding performances at county level. For a player who has consistently demonstrated maturity beyond his years, this England call-up is the logical next step in what many cricket observers predict could be a long and successful international career.

As England begins its preparations for both the immediate challenge of Zimbabwe and the more demanding India series that follows, the addition of James Rew adds an exciting dimension to the squad. His potential Test debut will be closely watched by cricket fans across England, particularly in Somerset where he has built his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young batting talents.