Somerset secure James Rew until 2024

The 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter made his Somerset debut in 2021 and starred for England at the Under-19 World Cup

James Rew has signed a contract with Somerset which will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2024 season.

The 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, a product of the club's academy system, made his first-team debut in last season's Royal London Cup, scoring 26 runs, and also made his first-class bow for a Combined County XI against India at Chester-le-Street.

Representing Somerset's second XI, Rew scored 413 runs at 34.41 in seven Championship appearances – a haul only Sam Young and Lewis Goldsworthy could better – and a further 21 runs in four T20 outings.

He also played for England at the Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean this winter, scoring 200 runs, including a knock of 95 from 116 balls in the final against India.

Commenting on his contract, Rew said: "I'm very pleased to have been offered this contract and it's a very special moment for me. This has been my dream ever since the Under 10s, and everything has happened very quickly.

^{Rew batting for England Under-19s last September [James Chance/Getty Images]}

"Making my debut last year was very special and it was an exciting winter for me. My goal now is to become a regular in the Somerset first team."

Matt Drakeley, the club's head of talent pathway, praised Rew’s potential: "James has the potential to achieve a huge amount in his professional career at Somerset. He has shown the ability and temperament to bat anywhere in the top order and has recently come off the back of a fantastic Under-19 World Cup.

"He came into the Somerset pathway as a very talented young cricketer and we're proud of the development that he has made over the past nine years. I'm sure everyone at Taunton St Andrews CC and King's College, Taunton will be proud of James, and they should take great pride in the impact that they've had on his journey so far."

Somerset's director of cricket, Andy Hurry, added: "This contract is a great reflection of his performances across various teams alongside the development and the approach that James has demonstrated.

"He's an inspirational role model to other aspirational players across the South West, and this contract recognises everything that James has achieved alongside the potential that he has.

"James is preparing for his A-level exams this summer and it's important that we collaboratively work with King's College in order to ensure that any cricket opportunities James may have in the future dovetail with all the school and academic commitments that he has."