Emilio Gay, originally from Bedford but now plying his trade up north with Durham, has been rewarded for an excellent start to this season’s County Championship with a first ever call-up to the England Lions squad to face India ‘A’ in a two-match series beginning in Kent at the end of May.
The Durham batter, 25, moved to the Riverside from Northamptonshire permanently during the off-season and has scored back-to-back home centuries against Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire to secure a place in the Lions squad; another step up for the ambitious top order batter.
After initially joining Durham on loan at the back end of last season, Gay has been quick to find his feet at Chester-le-Street, despite three ducks in his opening four first-class innings this season followed by a short-term injury.
Not perturbed, Gay stamped his mark on the Riverside with 152 off 239 balls in a drawn match against Yorkshire, before compiling 104 against Nottinghamshire in his next home game as part of Durham’s record first innings score of 664 in their seven-wicket victory.
The good form has now been noticed by international selectors, with Gay now part of the England Lions squad to face India ‘A’, beginning on 30 May, for a side managed by England’s legendary all-rounder, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff.
He will come up against some formidable opponents in the second string India squad, with names such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shardul Thakur and Karun Nair all with full international experience in the Indian contingent, among others.
The two match series could also see Gay return to his old stomping ground, with the second of two four-day games taking place at Northampton’s County Ground from 6 June.
From Bedford School to the international arena
Emilio began life with cricket bat in hand at Bedford Cricket Club and honed his skills on the plush lawns of Bedford School, before working his way up through the youth, emerging player and academy pathways at Northamptonshire.
His first full-time professional contract came as a 19-year old in 2019 and the left hander has not looked back since.
Rumours of an England Lions call-up have been swirling for almost three years, when the Times’ Geoffrey Dean tipped him for a call-up as early as September 2022, but since joining Durham, Gay has been facing consistently high-class bowling attacks and scored big runs to boot.
“Durham have a huge reputation of their players representing the national team and with my aspirations to play for England, I hope this opportunity will enable me to fulfil my international aspirations”, said Emilio when he permanently signed for Durham.
This Lions call-up is a step further towards realising those ambitions.
Emilio will hope to continue his run streak at the Riverside when Durham – currently 4th in Division One of the County Championship – host Somerset at the Banks Homes Riverside from Friday 23 May, before joining up with the 15-man Lions squad.
Fellow Lions include fellow Durham batter Ben McKinney, Chris Woakes, who continues his comeback from injury, and captain, James Rew who is currently with the full England side as they prepare for a one-off test against Zimbabwe beginning tomorrow (22 May).
The first of two four-day games between England Lions and India ‘A’ begin in Canterbury, Kent on Friday 30 May.
