The wicketkeeper who bats like a top-order star
Rew's record is remarkable for a 22-year-old. He has scored more than 4,800 runs for Somerset in 94 appearances across formats, with 12 first-class hundreds — including 221 against Hampshire — and 191 dismissals behind the stumps. He bats left-handed, usually at four, and he scores big hundreds rather than quick thirties: his conversion rate from fifties to hundreds is among the best in county cricket.
- Role: Wicketkeeper
- Team: Sharjah Warriorz
- Batting: Left-handed
- Bowling: Slow left-arm orthodox
- Born: 11 January 2004, London, England
For the Warriorz he is the second wicketkeeper in the squad alongside Tom Banton, and the younger one with the bigger ceiling. He can bat in the top order, keep wicket, and give Vince a left-handed option in a right-hand-heavy batting line-up.
From the academy to the England squad
Rew is a product of the Somerset academy and made his first-class debut in 2021 at 17. He was part of the England Under-19 side that reached the World Cup final in 2022, played for the England Lions in Australia — scoring an unbeaten 92 against a Prime Minister's XI — and was called into the senior England Test squad in May 2025 for the match against Zimbabwe.
In November 2026 he signed a new three-year contract with Somerset, keeping him at Taunton until 2029. The ILT20 is his next stage: a first full franchise season in the UAE, in a squad where his keeping and his batting both have a clear role.
The Sharjah Warriorz around him
Rew is the youngest Englishman since Denis Compton in 1939 to reach ten first-class hundreds, and he did it at 21.
The Somerset wicketkeeper-batter made his first-class debut in 2021 at 17, reached the Under-19 World Cup final with England in 2022, and has scored more than 4,800 runs for Somerset in 94 appearances across formats. His twelve first-class hundreds, including 221 against Hampshire, and 191 dismissals behind the stumps say why the Warriorz want a 22-year-old keeping wicket and batting left-handed in their side.
What’s next
Three league games to start the season for Sharjah Warriorz, then the run to the playoffs. The full list of every ILT20 fixture is on the ILT20 Schedule page.
- Match 2 — Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants: Sunday 22 November 2026, afternoon session, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
- Match 4 — Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers: Monday 23 November 2026, evening session, Sharjah.
- Match 8 — Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals: Friday 27 November 2026, evening session, Sharjah.
Qualifier 1 on Tuesday 16 December, the Eliminator on Wednesday 17 December, Qualifier 2 on Friday 18 December in Sharjah, and the final on Sunday 20 December in Dubai.
Follow every ILT20 result as it happens on SialTV, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
How old is James Rew?
He was born on 11 January 2004 in London, so he is 22 during ILT20 Season 5.
What is James Rew's record at Somerset?
More than 4,800 runs in 94 appearances, 12 first-class hundreds including 221 against Hampshire, and 191 dismissals as wicketkeeper.
Has James Rew played for England?
He was called into the senior England Test squad in May 2025 and has played for the England Lions and the Under-19s.