Rew who? Somerset schoolboy who's a hot prospect for England

Thomas, the teenage brother of county teammate James, is a precocious talent enjoying a breakout summer

- Sam Dalling

Thomas Rew reached the edge of the field; he was greeted by his elder brother James, and they shared the warmest of embraces – an open show of affection, Rew says, saved for "special occasions". That day, 8 August 2025, more than ticked that box.

Rew had bathed in the Somerset sunshine that Friday and the generous applause of a Taunton crowd treated to their first proper glimpse of a precocious talent. They had heard the whispers since his early teens: Rew was a first XI, if not international, banker and the 17-year-old's unbeaten 84 from 81 balls had just steered his side to a white-ball victory against Durham. "It was a special feeling to walk off that pitch with the whole County Ground behind us," Rew says.

Rew's runs that day were impressive, but more eye-catching was his handling of a potentially tricky chase. He manipulated both field and ball, looking every inch a batter who had been there a thousand times before and barely failed. The latest of cuts fizzed past point, while checked drives looked effortless. If a gap was plugged, Rew unearthed another. A former England international among the opposition said that Rew was the best junior he had laid eyes on.