James Rew Steps In for Injured Jordan Cox as England Prepare for Zimbabwe Test

Uncapped Somerset batter gets his shot after Cox injury rules him out of the one-off England Test at Trent Bridge

England’s first Test match of the summer will come with a change to the squad, as young Somerset star James Rew has been called up to replace the injured Jordan Cox for the upcoming one-off clash against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. It’s a significant moment in the 21-year-old’s career, marking his first involvement with the senior England side — and it couldn’t come at a better time for a batter in the form of his life.

While the fixture may not be part of a marquee series, the opportunity for fresh faces to make an impression is very real. Rew’s call-up underlines that, as the national selectors turn once again to youth in the hopes of uncovering the next generation of red-ball talent.

James Rew call-up reward for blistering county form

England call up Rew for Zimbabwe test after Cox injury

If you’ve been following the County Championship this season, James Rew’s name will have become increasingly difficult to ignore. The left-hander has been piling on runs for Somerset, averaging an impressive 54.21 with the bat and already registering a century — a typically composed 152 — as well as several gritty innings that have demonstrated maturity well beyond his years.

Rew has long been earmarked as a batter with Test potential. A product of the England Under-19 system, he was part of the side that reached the final of the U19 World Cup in 2022. That same year, he began turning heads with Somerset. His compact technique and unflappable temperament were on show during England Lions’ winter tour of Australia, where he quietly impressed in unfamiliar conditions.

His promotion to the senior setup may be slightly ahead of schedule, but it’s no great shock. Rew has earned his place through sheer weight of runs, and England’s selectors are clearly keen to see what he can offer in the long term — especially with one eye on the Ashes in 2025-26.

Cox’s cruel luck continues after fresh injury setback

For Jordan Cox, the news is painfully familiar. The 24-year-old Essex batter was on course for his long-awaited Test debut after a strong start to the domestic campaign, only for injury to strike at the worst possible time — again.

Cox was in fine form, with notable knocks of 82 against Nottinghamshire and a stylish 117 against Surrey. In the match against Somerset last Sunday, he reached 103 before having to retire hurt. The timing couldn’t have been crueller. The injury, which rules him out of this month’s Test, comes less than a year after a broken thumb in training scuppered his debut plans during England’s 2023 tour of New Zealand.

While Cox was likely to have served as a spare batter in the Zimbabwe Test, the match represented a golden opportunity to make a case for a more permanent role. His absence leaves a gap in the squad — one that Rew will now look to fill.

An eye on the future, even in a one-off Test

The inclusion of Rew — and the presence of other relative newcomers like Shoaib Bashir, Josh Tongue, and Jamie Smith — suggests that England aren’t just treating this as a one-off fixture. Instead, the Zimbabwe match is being used to evaluate how their next wave of red-ball talent handles the pressures of international cricket.

This won’t be Zimbabwe’s first Test on English soil — but it will be their first in over two decades. The last time they visited, back in 2003, a certain James Anderson made his debut. He would go on to become England’s greatest ever Test bowler. There may not be another Anderson hiding in this squad, but the match still represents a springboard for someone to make their mark.

With Ben Stokes leading the side and senior heads like Joe Root and Ollie Pope providing balance, England have a stable core. But the presence of youth is deliberate. This is about more than just winning one game — it’s about building depth and giving players like Rew, Bashir, and Atkinson experience in the national environment.

Rew’s quiet rise mirrors the best of England’s youth system

James Rew isn’t the loudest personality in English cricket — at least not yet. But his consistent development through the Under-19s, county cricket, and England Lions reflects well on the ECB’s current pathway. He’s done everything asked of him at each level and now gets his chance in the senior dressing room.

Whether or not he makes the final XI for the Zimbabwe Test remains to be seen, but his inclusion in the squad speaks volumes about where the England management sees him. The training camp next week will give coaches a better look at how he adjusts to the demands of senior international cricket, both mentally and physically.

If he does get a chance, expect a calm head and compact strokeplay — and perhaps a few glimpses of the long-term future of England’s top order.

A stepping stone before India and the real Test

Of course, the fixture against Zimbabwe is only the beginning of what promises to be a much sterner summer for England. A five-Test series against India looms, beginning on 20 June at Headingley, and that is when the real scrutiny will begin.

For now, the Trent Bridge match offers a valuable opportunity to test squad depth, build confidence, and reward domestic form. It’s a rare standalone Test — but its significance, especially for players like Rew, is not lost.

England squad vs Zimbabwe: a blend of experience and promise

Here’s how England will shape up for their opening Test of the summer:

Ben Stokes (Durham, captain), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Cook (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), James Rew (Somerset), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)

Rew joins a group balanced between established internationals and hungry newcomers. For England, the match against Zimbabwe is a low-stakes chance to experiment. For James Rew, it could be the first chapter of a long and fruitful Test career.