Overview
- Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew has 379 County Championship runs at 75.80 from five innings, behind only Jamie Smith this season.
- England’s middle order is settled with Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith, so any opening likely comes at the top of the order.
- Rew has never opened in first-class cricket, though Somerset head coach Jason Kerr said he could do it for England.
- Somerset have not tried him as an opener because he is keeping wicket and his brother Thomas, the likely deputy, is unavailable due to exams.
- Selectors are weighing moves such as pushing Jamie Smith up as a specialist batter without the gloves or trialing Rew as a Lions opener against South Africa A in May.