Emilio Gay set to make England debut in first Test against New Zealand at Lord's

Emilio Gay set to make England debut in first Test against New Zealand at Lord's

The 26-year-old is set to open the batting alongside Ben Duckett while seamer Ollie Robinson is set to return for his first Test appearance in two years.

Top-order batter James Rew, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and fast bowler Matt Fisher are the players missing out from the original 15-man squad that selected initially.

Hampshire paceman Sonny Baker could also potentially make his debut in Test cricket, with the final decision to be taken before the toss and a final look at pitch conditions and the weather.

Shoaib Bashir, who had been England's first-choice spinner for 18 months until he was overlooked for this winter's Ashes, is expected to slot back into the XI.

England head coach Brendon McCullum said: "We're very comfortable with the group that we've got. We're confident in what we're going to pick.

"That doesn't guarantee us anything, but it gives us what we think will allow us the best opportunity against New Zealand at Lord's. We want to stick to what we think is going to be required in these conditions against this opposition."

England squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue

Related News

England 'leaning towards' dropping Ben Stokes down Test batting order

England 'leaning towards' dropping Ben Stokes down Test batting order

  • 1 day ago

England coach Brendon McCullum has said that they are "leaning towards" dropping captain Ben Stokes down the batting order ahead of the Test series against New Zealand that starts on Thursday.

England's Joe Root honoured to be 'in the conversation' with Sachin Tendulkar

England's Joe Root honoured to be 'in the conversation' with Sachin Tendulkar

  • 11 days ago

Joe Root has paid tribute to Sachin Tendulkar while closing in on the all-time Test run-scoring record, insisting that being mentioned alongside the Indian legend is an achievement in itself.

Ollie Robinson recalled, Zak Crawley dropped as England unveil new-look squad for New Zealand Test

Ollie Robinson recalled, Zak Crawley dropped as England unveil new-look squad for New Zealand Test

  • 21 days ago

England have ushered in a new era for their Test side by recalling Ollie Robinson, dropping Zak Crawley and handing maiden call-ups to Emilio Gay, James Rew and Sonny Baker for next month's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.

Samit Patel retires from English cricket after 25 years

Samit Patel retires from English cricket after 25 years

  • 1 month ago

At 41, Samit Patel has brought the curtain down on a legendary English domestic career, a decision accelerated by an ECB ruling that rendered him ineligible for county competition.