Thomas Rew joins list of England’s youngest first-class centurions – remember these 5 young guns?
Thomas Rew scored a rapid century for the Professional County Club Select XI against Zimbabwe in Leicestershire at the age of 17 years and 171 days.
The 17-year-old Somerset emerging talent struck 103 off 107 deliveries to further back up why he’s rated so highly, with the impressive knock with the Three Lions on his chest coming before his first-class debut.
The young wicket-keeper batter looks set to follow a similar path to that of his 21-year-old brother, James Rew, who wears the gloves for Somerset.
His older brother has recently been called up to the England Test for the upcoming one off Test against Zimbabwe just a week after becoming the youngest player to score 10 first-class centuries.
For Thomas, a first-class debut and further centuries seem, at some point, inevitable.
Let’s take a look at some notable batters who are among the youngest to score a first-class century since the turn of the century.
5. Harry Brook – 19 years, 72 days
The current England white-ball captain, and Test match batter, made a significant impact in 2018 with an impressive maiden century for Yorkshire in the County Championship in a match where he outscored the likes of Joe Root, Alistair Cook, Gary Ballance, Adam Lyth and Ravi Bopara.
Brook showed his aggressive stokeplay and confidence that he’s now renowned for in a fearless display of dominance against Essex at such a young age. He now has 17 first-class hundreds.
4. Ian Bell – 19 years, 56 days
The veteran England batter made his maiden first-class century in 2001, scoring 130 for Warwickshire against Oxford UCCE – becoming the county’s youngest ever centurion.
He became known for his elegenat stroke play and signature cover drive with his quality at the crease evident from the outset. He went on to notch 22 Test centuries and 57 hundreds in first class cricket.
3. Dominic Sibley – 18 years, 21 days
In 2013, Sibley etched his name in the record books by hitting a score of 242 for Surrey against Yorkshire at The Oval before he’d even sat his A-Levels.
He became Surrey’s youngest centurion and the second-youngest player to score a first-class double century in England. He’s since played 22 Test matches for England and racked up 24 first-class centuries since his emergence on the scene.
2. James Rew – 18 years, 11 days
James Rew, the brother of Thomas Rew, announced his arrival in first-class cricket with a century in just his fourth match for Somerset, with a not-out score of 101 against Essex in 2022.
The achievement made him the youngest Somerset player to score a first-class century and showcased his world-class technique that has recently earned him an England call-up. Can Thomas Rew beat his record with a Somerset century this summer?
1. Dan Lawrence – 17 years, 290 days
In April 2015, Lawrence made headlines by scoring a century against his current team, Surrey, for Essex at The Oval, becoming the youngest to make a first-class century since the turn of the century.
It was only his second first-class appearance in a remarkable display of composure and technique at such a tender age. The now England international made his statement early with maturity beyond his years, with the now Surrey man having 18 first-class hundreds to date.
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