Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew has received his first call-up to the England squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Rew replaced Jordan Cox, who has been ruled out of the Test match due to an abdominal muscle injury.
Jordan Cox missed a chance to make his Test debut during the three-match Test series in New Zealand over the winter. He suffered a thumb injury in the nets while on tour in New Zealand. Cox was set to play in place of Jamie Smith, who was on paternity leave, as the wicketkeeper-batter for Ben Stokes’ side.
Jordan Cox Ruled Out of One-Off Test Against Zimbabwe, Confirms ECB
On May 8, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took to X (formerly Twitter) to share that Jordan Cox would miss the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe due to injury. James Rew received his first senior call-up to replace Cox in the squad.
“Disappointing news for Jordan Cox, who has been ruled out of our upcoming Test match against Zimbabwe. It means a first senior call-up for Somerset’s James Rew, who replaces Cox in the squad. Congratulations, James 👊 ,” the caption read.
Disappointing news for Jordan Cox, who has been ruled out of our upcoming Test match against Zimbabwe.
It means a first senior call-up for Somerset’s James Rew, who replaces Cox in the squad.
Congratulations, James 👊
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 8, 2025
Jordan Cox sustained a side injury while running a single to reach 99 during Essex’s match at Taunton and was forced to retire hurt after completing his century. Scans ruled him out of the Test against Zimbabwe.
James Rew Earns Maiden England Call-Up After Impressive Form
James Rew earned his first senior England call-up following his impressive performances in domestic cricket. The Somerset wicketkeeper-batter has scored 383 runs in five matches at an average of 54.71, with a best score of 152.
Rew recently anchored a successful 321-run chase with a fourth-innings century—his 10th in first-class cricket. He became the youngest English player to reach that milestone since Denis Compton.
The 21-year-old cricketer toured with the England Lions in Australia last winter. He scored over 1,000 County Championship runs in 2023, including five centuries. Rew will join the England squad next week for a training camp ahead of the summer’s first Test against Zimbabwe on May 22 at Trent Bridge.
England Squad For One-Off Test vs Zimbabwe
James Rew is expected to serve as backup in the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe, with England’s top order filled by Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook. Rew can be a valuable wicketkeeping backup for Jamie Smith.
Following their one-off Test against Zimbabwe, England are set for a packed schedule that includes a five-match Test series at home against India, beginning June 20 at Headingley. The Ben Stokes-led team will head to Australia for the next Ashes series, which kicks off on November 21 in Perth.
Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, James Rew, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wkt), Josh Tongue
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