James Rew: Somerset batter can open for England, says Jason Kerr

Somerset wicketkeeper James Rew can “absolutely” open the batting for England, according to his county head coach Jason Kerr.

Some places in the England Test team are expected to be up for grabs this summer following the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, including at the top of the batting order.

Established opening pair Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett struggled in Australia and managing director Rob Key has said England will make changes in the way they approach selection.

Crawley has made only 60 runs in four County Championship innings for Kent so far this summer, while Duckett made 26 in his sole outing for Nottinghamshire.

In contrast, Rew, 22, has hit 320 runs so far this season, second only to England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith with 396 for Surrey.

Rew has primarily batted at four for Somerset but, after watching him make 86 in his side’s first innings at Hampshire, Kerr said Rew was capable of opening.

“[Opening for Somerset] is in my head, but we have to do what is right for the team. What I don’t want to do is compromise his opportunity of playing for England,” said Kerr.

“He’s got to score a volume of runs, and that is what he is doing. The thing to recognise is the way he is doing it. Could he do that at the top of the order for England? Absolutely.”