Ashes: Who might England turn to in the 2027 contest against Australia?

The Rews aren’t the only brothers who hopefully have a big future.

Rehan Ahmed was the youngest man to play Test cricket for England when he featured for Pakistan in 2022, while his 17-year-old brother Farhan, an off-spinner and not as leggy as Rehan, became the youngest bowler to take a five-wicket haul in first-class cricket in Britain when he took seven wickets for Nottinghamshire against Surrey in 2024.

Rayhan was the last to participate in the lions’ journey this winter. Many thought he should have been in the full Test squad after a strong season with Leicestershire.

Farhan has played for the Lions this year and will be part of the Under-19 World Cup squad.

After Shoaib Bashir’s tour as a drinks carrier, England are back to square one in their search for a front-line spinner.

Having scored five centuries and taken 23 wickets in the 2025 County Championship Division Two, Rayhan’s future could be more than just an all-rounder.

Lancashire left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who has not added to his five Test matches since the 2024 tour of India, was with the Lions in Australia, and don’t forget Somerset’s Jack Leach.

He was the leading wicket-taker among spinners in the County Championship last season and, at 34, is still desperate to regain his Test place.