Meet James Rew, England’s ruthless, history-making new star – and why he’s been tipped for the top since he was 17

James Rew is the most prolific young centurion this country has produced since the Second World War – and England rewarded him for his exploits yesterday with a maiden Test call-up.

Hours after becoming the youngest Englishman to score 10 first-class hundreds since the legendary Denis Compton in 1939, the 21-year-old was named as an injury replacement for the unfortunate Jordan Cox.

Such is the conversion rate of the Somerset left-hander in turning half-centuries into hundreds, he really ought to be re-named Rewthless. On only eight occasions has he failed to double up once reaching 50.

Rew’s fourth-innings 116 against Essex at Taunton, the cornerstone of Monday’s stunning three-wicket chase of a 321-run target, took his average to 54.21 in the County Championship this season.

County enthusiasts will no doubt be cheered that England appear to be responding to domestic form in picking their first squad of the summer, for the one-off Test match versus Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge later this month. Cox, himself uncapped, averages 77.

However, in truth, it owes as much to consistency of selection. Cox was a member of the Test squad last winter, while Rew was first identified as a future international as far back as 2021 when, as an unknown 17-year-old, he was plunged into a first-class debut for a county representative XI against India.

Somerset’s left-hander could be named Rewthless for the rate he turns half-centuries into tons

The following summer, days after marking his third Championship appearance for Somerset with a maiden hundred, he was promoted to an England Lions squad for the first time.

He didn’t feature in the four-day fixture against a South Africa XI at Canterbury, but it might have been significant that head coach Brendon McCullum spent time around the group that week.

Rew was also a key member of the England team that finished as runners-up in the Under 19s World Cup of that year, top-scoring in the final with 95.

A first senior call-up is primarily as cover for the top six, but he is nevertheless just a last-minute niggle or illness away from becoming England’s 719th Test cap and the 16th of the Bazball era.

‘It’s going to be a case of me enjoying my time and learning as much as I can. I’ll be trying to soak up as much knowledge and information as I can from these top players and coaches,’ he said.

‘If the opportunity to play presents itself then obviously I’ll try and take it with both hands. Whatever happens, it’s going to be an incredible experience.’

One man’s joy is another’s woe, however. Ironically, it was in Essex’s defeat at Taunton that Cox suffered a side injury in the process of sweeping, moments before bringing up his own century.

Scans later revealed a 4mm tear in an abdominal muscle, ruling him out of the four-day Test against the Zimbabweans, starting on May 22.

Rew (left) was keeping wicket when Jordan Cox tore an abdominal muscle  batting for Essex

Rew top-scored in the final of the Under 19s World Cup of 2022 as England finished runners-up

The damage does not require surgery, but will sideline him for several weeks and he discussed his rehabilitation plan with ECB men’s director of cricket Rob Key on Wednesday evening. An early June comeback in the Vitality T20 Blast now on the cards.

This latest misfortune for the 24-year-old follows a broken thumb six months ago that cost him a debut in New Zealand, after he had been chosen to replace Jamie Smith as England’s wicketkeeper for the three-match series.

Rew, who toured Australia with England Lions last winter, also keeps wicket, but like Cox has been chosen for his batting.

He will join up with the rest of the 13-man squad plus recovering fast bowler Brydon Carse in London this weekend ahead of a short training camp at Loughborough next week to prepare the Test team for a summer that also comprises a five-match blockbuster against India.