The opener Emilio Gay has been set to be ready for the first Test against Pakistan, which takes place next week. Gay, aged 27, will play for the Professional County Club (PCC) Select in a four-day match against the Pakistani side. The warm-up match will take place in Beckenham on Wednesday and serves as a key preparation for the upcoming international clash.
Gay is expected to play for England at Headingley on 19 August. His recent history includes a shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw while playing for Durham. The injury occurred during a One-Day Cup match against Middlesex last Friday. Following the match, Gay underwent a scan on Saturday which revealed no serious damage.
This appearance marks Gay’s return to the field after playing his first red-ball match following the series against New Zealand ending in late June. Gay made his debut for England in June and played in all three Tests against New Zealand. His readiness is crucial as England has already had to make changes to the squad.
At Beckenham, Shoaib Bashir will also feature. His appearance comes in the context of significant changes to the English squad. Ben Stokes has withdrawn from the series, and Jacob Bethell has a knee injury that has ruled him out of the three-Test series. The injuries have forced the selectors to look for alternatives in the depth of the squad.
