The Rew brothers Thomas and James are busy packing their bags ahead of setting off for Australia with the England Lions on Sunday.
21 year old James who enjoyed another very successful season with Somerset in 2025 during which he topped 1000 runs in the championship for the second time and captained the Club to the semi finals of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, has previously been on a Lions tour to Australia.
However for 17 year old Thomas, who is still at school, this is another step in his remarkable cricketing journey which saw him making his T20 and List A debuts for Somerset in 2025.
“It’s been a really cool year for me and I didn’t expect it to happen so fast. I have had some unbelievable experiences throughout the summer and now I have got an exciting winter to look forward to as well,” said Thomas.
“I have had a couple of winters on the Somerset Academy which has really helped my cricket and a lot of credit has to go to the coaches. Now this summer has shown that I am able to do it and I have been out and played for Somerset in a couple of T20s and in the Metro Bank. It’s an exciting place to be and I am enjoying my cricket and looking forward to where it takes me.
“It’s really exciting to be going on the Lions tour with James. We played together for Somerset in August and now we want to carry on with that and play for England together- this is just another stepping stone in our cricketing journey.”
James said: “ It was incredible to play alongside my brother for Somerset in the summer which has always been a dream of mine ever since I came onto the pro staff. I’d always thought that he would make it so to get the opportunity to bat with him was just fantastic.
“We had a decent partnership at Middlesex and then against Durham at home we had another stand and he managed to get 80 odd not out and win the game.”
What were they hoping for in Australia?
Thomas said: "The main thing for me is to try and learn as much as possible. We have got some unbelievable coaches with a lot of experience in international cricket and also some very experienced players on the tour as well so I think I'm just going to try and pick as many brains as possible and learn as much as I can about my game and the different conditions out there."
James said: “I will be looking to put in some strong performances and contribute to winning a couple of games, but it’s always tough playing them in their own back yard- so we know it’s going to be challenge. Australia will be tough opponents especially with the Ashes there they are all looking to get into the team if there is an injury and its the same for us so should be a great contest.”
If the brothers get to play together for the Lions both are wicket-keeper batters so who is going to grab the wicket-keeping gloves?
Thomas said: “ I have been asked that question quite a few times, I don’t think either of us know. We are happy just to try and get in the team and if that means one of playing as a batter then that's it- but its up for debate still!”
James said: “It will be an interesting one and we will see what happens that's something to discuss with the coaches.”
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