England’s selectors are wrestling with a dilemma over Somerset wicket‑keeper‑batter James Rew. Despite 60 first‑class games, he has never opened, yet his two List A centuries—including a 96—suggest potential at the top of the order. Coach Jason Kerr insists Rew could handle opening for England, but his keeping workload has kept him out of that role so far currently for now.

England could emulate Australia’s practice of picking the best player first and sorting the batting order later, sending Rew to the Championship as a trial. A potential dress‑rehearsal arrives with two England Lions fixtures against South Africa A in May, offering a chance to test his opening credentials before an upcoming Test debut for England series against New Zealand’s pace attack.

Meanwhile, the rest of the squad teeters on a knife‑edge. With senior bowlers Anderson, Broad, Woakes and Wood unavailable, newcomers like Sonny Baker and Gus Atkinson scramble for new‑ball spots, while the spin department debates Bashir, Leach or Crane. If Rew slides into the lower order, Smith could shift to a specialist batter role, freeing the wicket‑keeping gloves for the youngster.