At a glance
- Scored 86 & 59 in last County Championship game against Hampshire
- Has scored 379 runs at an average of 75.8 so far in the County Championship 2026
- Could be in line for an England call up
This week’s ReadCricket Player of the Week is James Rew, the talented wicketkeeper batter from Somerset, who continues to impress with a superb start to the County Championship season. Composed at the crease and increasingly consistent, Rew is turning promise into real weight of runs, catching the eye with every outing.
With England keeping a close watch on in form red ball players, his name is beginning to enter the conversation. If this purple patch continues, a call up could be just around the corner.
Stats So Far
Rew was instrumental in his side’s victory at Hampshire this week. His 86 in the first innings was the top score, and he was in an 89 run partnership with Tom Abell (101*), where he scored 59 to help secure the win.
So far this season, he has three scores of 50 or over, two last week and 64 against Nottinghamshire in round one. He also scored 122 in the second innings of that game.
In total, he has 379 runs at an average of 75.8 in five innings. As a wicketkeeper, he has also taken 12 catches. He is second behind Jamie Smith of Surrey as top run scorer.
His career stats for Somerset are also quite impressive. He has amassed 3376 runs in 93 innings, 11 centuries and 12 fifties, at an average of 42.2. He also has 150 catches and 6 stumpings.
England Call Beckoning?
Rew has already represented England at Under 19 and Lions level, and further underlined his potential with an unbeaten 92 against the Prime Minister’s XI in Australia. The question now feels less about if, and more about when an England call up arrives. With series against New Zealand and Pakistan on the horizon this summer, he is firmly in the frame.
Whether that opportunity comes as an opener or behind the stumps remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Rew looks every bit a player for the future and a natural fit for this evolving England side.
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