James Rew has capped his emergence with an official callup to the England U19 squad. He provides cover for the injured Jordan Cox ahead of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. This 21-year-old wicketkeeper from Somerset has been one of the most talked-about players in the County Championship so far this season. He is the holder of a remarkable cumulative batting average of 54.21.
Rew’s extraordinary form has seen her rack up a high score of 152 runs in the current County Championship. It’s his unrelenting efforts that have placed him on the radar of selectors and earned him a seat in the national selection committee on Thursday. He will join the England squad for a training camp next week, preparing for the match that begins on May 22 at Trent Bridge.
Rew’s right-handed batter willingness to be the spare batter in the England squad could see him provide useful depth. He will be playing alongside the likes of Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Ollie Pope and Matthew Potts. The inclusion of Rew adds youthful energy to a squad that features players like Gus Atkinson and Shoaib Bashir.
Rew’s cricketing credentials extend beyond domestic competitions. He featured for the England Under-19 team that reached the final of the U19 World Cup in 2022. This accomplishment only served to showcase his potential on a bigger, international stage. He toured Australia with the England Lions last winter, gaining valuable experience that he brings to the senior team.
With the next Test, against Zimbabwe, coming up soon, that gives Rew a chance to cement his spot even further in the national setup. After this game in Nottingham, England’s next assignment is a five-Test rubber against India, starting at Headingley on June 20.
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