Cook backs Gay to open for England in South Africa
Emilio Gay’s Test-best 60 has strengthened his case, but England’s top-order selection remains unsettled.
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has backed Emilio Gay to open for England on the winter tour of South Africa after the batter made a Test-best 60 against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
Gay’s 114-ball innings helped England take control on the opening day. The 26-year-old Durham left-hander has scored 261 runs at an average of 26.1 during the home summer, a return that sits within a difficult run of batting conditions for England.
Cook told Test Match Special, as reported by BBC Sport, that Gay’s resilience and patient technique had done enough to justify continuing at the top of the order. Gay left or defended 61 per cent of pace deliveries since his debut in June and showed a similarly cautious approach during his innings at Edgbaston.
His position is not secured. With Jacob Bethell expected to return from injury, Jordan Cox, Dan Lawrence and Gay are competing for two top-order places on the South Africa tour.
Gay’s vulnerability against back-of-a-length bowling remains part of the selection picture, with seven of his Test dismissals coming from deliveries bowled between seven and nine metres. England seamer Josh Tongue said Gay’s extensive net preparation had helped develop the concentration required for Test cricket.
