Emilio Gay set for England Test debut against Pakistan

England batter Emilio Gay is expected to be fit for the first Test against Pakistan, which begins on 19 August at Headingley. The 27-year-old is scheduled to play in the four-day match for the County Select XI against Pakistan in Beckenham this Wednesday. His participation is a strong indicator that he will retain his place in the England squad for the opening Test. Gay, a left-hander for Durham, left the field during a one-day cup match against Middlesex last Friday due to a shoulder issue. A scan on Saturday revealed no significant injury. While he was initially expected to travel to Beckenham only for medical assessment, he will now feature in the four-day fixture, marking his first red-ball appearance since the conclusion of the New Zealand series in late June. The inclusion of Gay and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Select XI was pre-planned, as neither player is involved in The Hundred. Gay's fitness is a boost for England, who are navigating significant changes following the retirement of former captain Ben Stokes and a knee injury to Jacob Bethell, who will miss the three-Test series. Jordan Cox is set to replace Bethell at number three, while Dan Lawrence will bat at six and provide off-spin, marking England's first attempt to balance the side without Stokes. England are likely to field four frontline seamers at Headingley: Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, and Ollie Robinson. While Tongue and Atkinson may feature in the final stages of The Hundred, Archer was rested for Southern Brave's match against Trent Rockets on Monday. With Southern Brave eliminated, Archer will have over a week of rest before the Test begins. Robinson, like Gay and Bashir, has not been playing in The Hundred. His wife is expecting their first child, but England anticipates the 32-year-old will be available for the Headingley match. However, BBC Sport notes that such plans are subject to change, citing the example of Jamie Smith, who withdrew from the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval in June following the birth of his second child. The Headingley Test also marks the return of Joe Root as full-time captain. Marcus Trescothick is serving as interim head coach for the series, with New Zealander Stephen Fleming set to take charge from England's winter tour of South Africa. Fleming arrives in the UK in September, though it remains unclear if he will be present before the conclusion of the Pakistan series.