BECKENHAM: England have received a timely boost ahead of their three-match home Test series against Pakistan, with opener Emilio Gay set to return to action after suffering a shoulder injury last week.
The 26-year-old has been included in the 14-member Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI that will face Pakistan in a three-day tour match at Beckenham.
Gay had emerged as a fitness concern after retiring hurt while representing Durham against Middlesex in the One-Day Cup last Friday.
The left-handed batter initially experienced discomfort in his right shoulder during the sixth over of Durham’s innings. He aggravated the problem while playing a straight drive off Toby Roland-Jones in the following over and left the field after scoring nine runs from 17 deliveries.
His selection for the tour match, however, indicates that he is making encouraging progress and is expected to be available for England’s Test series against Pakistan.
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England players Shoaib Bashir and Matthew Fisher have also been included in the PCC Select XI.
The practice fixture was originally scheduled to begin on August 11 but was pushed back by mutual agreement, allowing England to field a stronger invitational side.
The match will provide Pakistan with valuable preparation in English conditions before the opening Test in Leeds from August 19 to 23.
Pakistan are playing their first Test series in England since 2020. The second Test will be staged at Lord’s from August 27 to 31, followed by the final match at Edgbaston from September 9 to 13.
PCC Select XI: Tom Haines (c), Shoaib Bashir, Luc Benkenstein, Caleb Falconer, Matt Fisher, Emilio Gay, Nathan Gilchrist, Josh Hull, Manny Lumsden, James Rew, James Sales, Charlie Tear, Noah Thain, Saif Zaib.
