England might need a new opener for the upcoming three-game Test series against Pakistan after Emilio Gay picked up an injury. Playing for Durham in the One-Day Cup, Gay hurt his right shoulder. He felt discomfort in his shoulder initially in the sixth over; while he was allowed to continue batting, he hurt the shoulder further in the following over after driving a Toby Roland-Jones delivery back down the ground.
He was taken off the field following the injury and did not take part in the game any further. Durham’s spokesperson confirmed that he will undergo scans over the weekend to confirm the extent of the injury.
England potentially short on another batter
Gay made his Test debut for England against New Zealand at Lord’s in June. He scored two back-to-back fifties and was named in the squad for Pakistan as well. He would be the second top-order batter to miss out through injury, following Jacob Bethell, who was sidelined after hurting himself in the Hundred.
England could turn to the domestic crop to replace Gay, though they do have a good top-order option in Ollie Pope. Pope was named in the squad for the first time since his snub midway through the Ashes. For Surrey in the County Championship, Pope has batted across multiple positions, mostly at No. 4.
England squad for first two Tests against Pakistan:
Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.
Series schedule:
First Test: August 19-23 – Headingley
Second Test: August 27-31 – Lord’s
Third Test: September 9-13 – Edgbaston
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