James Rew: Somerset wicketkeeper-batter signs new three-year deal

Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew has signed a new three-year contract with the county.

The 22-year-old – who is a product of Somerset’s academy – will now remain at the Cooper Associates County Ground until the conclusion of the 2029 season.

Since his debut in 2021, Rew has made 94 appearances for the club across all formats, scoring more than 4,800 runs and claiming 191 dismissals.

Rew, who helped Somerset win the T20 Blast and finish third in the County Championship last summer, told the club website, external he was delighted to extend his stay at Taunton.

“I absolutely love it here and it’s the best club in the world in my opinion,” said Rew, whose brother Thomas also plays for the county. “There’s nowhere else I’d want to play.

“To play in front of our members and supporters with this group of players in just incredible and it’s something that I wouldn’t change for anything.

“We want to continue to win trophies over the next few years and remain dominant in white-ball cricket.

“We all want to win that elusive County Championship. Winning that would be everything for me and there’s a lot of people here who would say exactly the same thing.”

Rew, who part of the England Under-19 squad that reached the U19 World Cup final in 2022, was called up to the senior squad for their one-off Test against Zimbabwe last May but did not play in the game.

He was also part of the England Lions squad during this winter’s tour of Australia, scoring an unbeaten 92 during the eight-wicket win over a Prime Minister’s XI before making scores of 7 and 0 as the tourists were beaten by Australia A.