Who’re England’s Take a look at match candidates? Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain focus on the influence of James Rew within the County Championship.
Rew is essentially the most prolific run-scorer within the nation however England’s middle-order seems to be locked in with Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes cementing their spots, so the 22-year-old’s finest hope may very well be to open the batting for Somerset to problem under-pressure batsmen Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.
The left-hander’s run-scoring within the Championship is bettered solely by Jamie Smith so if he does get a call-up, England may face a quandary on tips on how to match him in for the primary Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
Talking on the most recent episode of the Sky Sports activities Cricket podcast, Atherton stated: “James Rew is getting lots of runs and playing really well. But that middle order is locked up, isn’t it? You’re not going to get in the middle order. So opening the batting, I think there’s going to be a vacancy there because I don’t see Crawley getting picked.
“Are you able to open the batting for England? That is actually the query. And whether or not this stability between what the county needs and wishes for its personal success and what England possibly wish to want and would really like for his or her improvement is at all times a tough stability.”
Hussain, who captained England between 1999 and 2003, stated: “Former England and Glamorgan participant, turned cricket author, Steve James, stated Rew ought to be knocking on the door at Somerset and asking them to open the batting, however he is performed so properly at 4, then they might simply flip to him and say, ‘we’ll do what’s finest for us’, to be sincere.
“That is the opposite factor we’ve got to think about with Somerset is that if they begin shedding gamers to England. I do suppose opening is a specialist place.
“Three to open. I’m not that fussed about. Mark Butcher was three open. ‘Gaffer’ [Alec Stewart] used to do it and you used to do it, didn’t you? And then you opened for Lancashire and everything that followed from that.
“However center order, they tried it with Dan Lawrence. It did not actually work out, however I simply suppose he is getting so many runs and also you simply watch him bat and a number of the positions and the way late he performs the ball. It is simply attending to that stage the place it’s important to discover a manner of choosing him.
“Bethell’s one that came in about at three and has never done it before. In first class cricket.
“Might you progress Bethell as much as open and have Rew at three? The issue is clearly Root would not wish to transfer from 4 so it’s an attention-grabbing query.”
Would you undoubtedly decide Root?
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Watch a number of the finest cricket catches hat occurred in entrance of the Sky Sports activities cameras in 2025, together with beauties from Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Glenn Phillips, Deepti Sharma, Charlie Dean and Joe Root
Atherton, who turned England captain on the age of 25, remained adamant that it’s important to be batting within the high three in your county to open for the nationwide group.
“I wouldn’t be shoving Root in from the middle order if that’s where he’s staying. They did it with Dan Lawrence. It wasn’t a success, but you felt they were just keeping the seat warm there. I think you’ve got to be batting in the top three,” he stated.
“Ideally for him, he would be batting in the top three. And maybe that will that maybe that will come to pass. If you’re a young kid looking at where you’re going to get in the England side and everybody has ambitions and wants to play at the highest level. There’s only one place at the moment, isn’t there? And that’s at the top of the order.”
Who else has caught your eye in county cricket?
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
James Anderson took a five-wicket haul in Lancashire’s County Championship season opener in opposition to Lancashire
Atherton has been conserving tabs on the County Championship with a number of gamers catching his eye forward of Surrey vs Essex – dwell on Sky Sports activities Cricket this Friday from 11am.
“Sonny Baker looks good, bowling quick and looks lively and getting wickets. Henry Crocombe at Sussex, I think, is an improving young fast bowler,” Atherton stated.
“Sam Cook, I watched Sam Cook at Edgbaston. He didn’t actually get wickets that day. Jamie Porter got wickets. Sam Cook got him in the second innings. But I do think he is a good bowler and shouldn’t just be kind of mentally discarded because of that one Test match where he didn’t bowl at his best.
“In the event that they’re searching for a line-bowler and an English-style bowler, I imply, he is acquired competitors. Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher, I suppose, is his competitors. However I believe Sam Cook dinner’s a great bowler. He is 28 and ought to be in his prime but for 2 or three years and knocking on the door with wickets.
“They’re the bowlers who have impressed. And of course, Jimmy Anderson in Division Two, he’s leading the way with a bag full of wickets and Lancashire going well at the top there.”
Watch England’s residence worldwide summer time dwell on Sky Sports activities, beginning with a three-Take a look at sequence in opposition to New Zealand from June 4. Not acquired Sky? Stream cricket contract-free on NOW.
