James Rew Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

James Rew is a young English cricketer who has broken into the Test side after impressive performances for Somerset.

James Edward Kenneth Rew was born on 11 January 2004 in London, United Kingdom. A right‑hand batsman, he progressed through the county system and represents Somerset at first‑class, List A and Twenty‑20 level before earning his England Test cap in 2026. His early promise was recognised when he was selected for a County Select XI against India in July 2021, leading to a first‑class debut later that month.

Rew made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval on 17 June 2026, scoring 39 runs in two innings with a highest of 24 and taking three catches. In domestic cricket he has already recorded a maiden first‑class century, reached ten first‑class hundreds at a record‑young age, and featured for England Lions on their 2025 Australian tour.

James Rew: quick facts

Born: 11 January 2004, London
Team: England

James Rew career statistics

Batting

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest	Average	Strike rate	100s	50s
Tests	1	2	39	24	19.50	43.33	0	0

Figures as of 16 November 2026. Figures from Cricsheet (cricsheet.org), Open Data Commons Attribution licence.

James Rew’s early life

James Rew entered the world on 11 January 2004 in the capital city of London. By his mid‑teens he had attracted attention from the national selectors, and in July 2021 he was named in a County Select XI squad to face the touring Indian side in a three‑day match, signalling his emergence on the senior stage.

His first‑class debut arrived shortly after, on 20 July 2021, when he played for the County Select XI against India. Within weeks he progressed to List A cricket, debuting for Somerset on 1 August 2021 in the Royal London One‑Day Cup, and later made his Twenty‑20 debut for Somerset on 27 May 2022 against the Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI. These early experiences laid the foundation for his rapid rise through the English cricketing ranks.

James Rew’s domestic career

Rew’s county career has been centred on Somerset, where he has featured across all three formats. After his List A debut in August 2021, he continued to develop his batting, and in July 2022 he recorded his maiden first‑class century during a County Championship match against Essex, confirming his ability to convert starts into substantial scores.

The 2025 season marked a milestone when Rew became the youngest Englishman to compile ten first‑class hundreds, a record previously held by Denis Compton in 1939. His consistent performances earned him a place in the England Lions squad for their Australian tour in January 2025, further cementing his reputation as one of England’s most promising young batsmen.

James Rew’s international career

Rew’s entry into Test cricket came on 17 June 2026, when he faced New Zealand at The Oval. In that match he batted twice, accumulating 39 runs with a highest score of 24, an average of 19.5 and a strike rate of 43.33, and he contributed in the field with three catches.

His selection followed an injury‑replacement call‑up in May 2025, when he was added to the England Test squad as a substitute for Jordan Cox. Although his debut yielded modest numbers, the experience added a valuable dimension to his developing career and positioned him for further opportunities at the highest level.

James Rew’s records and achievements

In May 2025 Rew achieved a historic feat by becoming the youngest English cricketer to reach ten first‑class centuries, a landmark not seen since Denis Compton achieved it in 1939. This accomplishment highlighted his consistency and temperament in the longer format of the game.

His maiden first‑class century, scored against Essex in July 2022, marked the beginning of a prolific run‑scoring period that ultimately led to his record‑breaking tenth hundred. These milestones, combined with his rapid ascent to the England Test side, underscore Rew’s status as a notable emerging talent in English cricket.