Who Is Emilio Gay? Italy International Pushing for England Test Call-Up

England could soon have a Test batter who represented Italy in white-ball cricket as Ben Stokes and Co. prepare for the home summer. 

Already under the glare of the England and Wales Cricket Board for being the top run-scorer (954) in the County Championship 2025 for Durham, Bedford-born Emilio Gay pushed his case further by scoring 128 off 141 balls in the 2026 season opener against Kent in Chester-le-Street.

The England top three have averaged around 38 since the start of 2025, but dropped to 25.70 in the Ashes Down Under. 

Opening batter Zak Crawley's form has been under the scanner, and there are murmurs that Gay could replace the right-hander, a veteran of 64 Tests. Since Italy is not a Full Member of the International Cricket Council, the left-hander will have no issues walking into the English side.

It is a coincidence that Crawley, who represents Kent, witnessed Gay's masterclass on the field as an opponent. And to make matters worse for himself, he failed with the bat, both against Kent and Northamptonshire.

TOP CLASS TEMPERAMENT

Durham's head coach, Ryan Campbell, believes Gay is ready for the rigours of international cricket. 

"It doesn't matter if he opens the innings for us or bats number three. He can do both roles; there is no problem whatsoever. He is a talented young man, and he probably is not the traditional opener who takes his time. Last year, he made 99 from 108 balls against Surrey [batting at number three], when we were defending, but he has both the modes. He can work through the gears when he is batting," he told SportsBoom.co.uk on Thursday.

In 2024, when Gay was representing Northamptonshire in Division Two, he smashed 919 runs [as an opener] with a best score of 261 against Middlesex. The 401-ball knock, including 22 fours and a six, kept him on the crease for 553 minutes. 

"Emilio is a kid one should watch out for. He is an international player in the making, 100 per cent yes. He has a great work ethic, and he has been hitting the balls and working harder than everyone else," added Campbell.

Overall, Gay has 11 first-class centuries and 17 fifties in his aggregate of 4294 runs at an average of 37.66. He has toughened up mentally, too, after playing a few matches for England Lions, where he faced international fast bowlers. A Khaleel Ahmed bouncer struck the left-hander, while playing against India A in Northampton last year, but he batted on and scored a resilient 71 off 117 balls. 

"He knows what it takes to be an outstanding player. He knows the mental side is a part of the game, and he will be tested. He is a down-to-earth character and doesn't get flustered by anything. Since he has so much belief in his game, he can stand up to any challenge thrown at him," he added.

REFOCUS ON COUNTY PERFORMANCES

The Durham County Cricket Club and the ECB have a healthy relationship. In the past few years, Durham has had players representing the country, led by Test captain Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, and, recently, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts.

Now that the ECB has instructed head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key to concentrate on performances in county cricket, ensuring no special talent gets overlooked, the stage looks set for Gay. 

"These next six or seven weeks are a big opportunity for the younger players. At the end of the day, it will be proven by actions, when they pick the first team, on how they have followed up from the conversations with counties and players.  I feel Key will do everything he can to realign with the counties, and you have to, any first-class cricket is the foundation stone to international cricket," said Campbell, highlighting Australia and India's strong domestic structure.

"You need a strong county system, like the Sheffield Shield in Australia and the Ranji Trophy in India. That's where you provide the players from, and then it is up to the international coaches to mould them into an international player. But all the hard work of a young player before they get anywhere near international cricket can never be forgotten," he signed off.