Cricket's Rew Brothers: Thomas' Journey to Somerset's First-Class Team

The younger Rew brother's experiences with the Lions in Australia have been transformative in his development.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:40pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a cricket match or training session, with the players' forms abstracted and deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The Rew brothers' shared journey in cricket is a testament to the power of familial support and the impact it can have on an athlete's development.Somerset Today

The Rew brothers, James and Thomas, are making waves in the cricket world. While Thomas has yet to make his first-class debut for Somerset, his recent experiences with the Lions in Australia have been pivotal in his development, providing him with invaluable lessons and confidence. The brothers' parallel paths and shared journey are an inspiring tale of familial support and ambition in cricket.

Why it matters

The Rew brothers' story highlights the power of familial support and the impact it can have on an athlete's development. As Thomas follows in his older brother James' footsteps, their shared journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers and showcases the importance of mentorship and opportunities like the Lions tour in nurturing young talent.

The details

Thomas Rew joined Somerset's academy a year after his brother James made his debut for the county in 2022. James' breakthrough season in 2023 saw him score over 1,000 County Championship runs, becoming Somerset's youngest double centurion and winning the Professional Cricket Association's men's young player of the year award. Meanwhile, Thomas has been making his mark in T20 and One-Day Cup matches, and his experiences with the Lions in Australia have been pivotal in his development, providing him with invaluable insights from the best players, including Andrew Flintoff, the Lions coach. Thomas' confidence soared as he rubbed shoulders with Test players and gained experience against strong opposition, scoring 55 against England and 47 against Australia A, and his century while skippering England Under-19s to the World Cup final further solidified his skills.

  • Thomas Rew joined Somerset's academy a year after his brother James made his debut for the county in 2022.
  • James Rew's breakthrough season in 2023 saw him score over 1,000 County Championship runs, becoming Somerset's youngest double centurion and winning the Professional Cricket Association's men's young player of the year award.
  • Thomas Rew's experiences with the Lions in Australia took place in the lead-up to Somerset's 2026 County Championship campaign.

The players

James Rew

The older Rew brother, who made his Somerset debut in 2022 and had a breakthrough season in 2023, scoring over 1,000 County Championship runs and becoming Somerset's youngest double centurion.

Thomas Rew

The younger Rew brother, who joined Somerset's academy a year after his brother's debut and has been making his mark in T20 and One-Day Cup matches, with his experiences with the Lions in Australia being pivotal in his development.

Andrew Flintoff

The former England cricketer who was the coach of the Lions team that Thomas Rew played for in Australia, providing him with invaluable insights and mentorship.

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What they’re saying

“Playing alongside James, I gained invaluable insights from the best players, including Andrew Flintoff, who was the Lions coach. My confidence soared as I rubbed shoulders with Test players and gained experience against strong opposition.”

— Thomas Rew, Somerset Academy Player

What’s next

As Somerset begins its County Championship campaign, Thomas Rew is eager to make his first-class debut. The experiences he has gained, both with the Lions and alongside his brother, have prepared him for the challenges ahead, and he is ready to take on the next step in his cricket journey.

The takeaway

The Rew brothers' parallel paths and shared journey are an inspiring tale of familial support and ambition in cricket. Thomas' experiences with the Lions have been transformative, providing him with the confidence and skills to follow in his brother's footsteps and make his mark in the first-class game.