England have received a boost ahead of their three-match Test series against Pakistan, with opener Emilio Gay reportedly expected to recover in time for the first Test at Headingley, beginning August 19. Gay suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Durham against Middlesex on Friday, but scans have reportedly shown no serious damage.Gay made his Test debut against New Zealand earlier this year and scored two half-centuries in the three-match series. Despite some inconsistency, his partnership with Ben Duckett impressed England’s management, who want to give him more opportunities after dropping Zak Crawley.According to the Daily Mail Sport, Gay’s scan on Saturday revealed no major injury, meaning he should be available to resume his opening partnership with Duckett against Pakistan.The series will also be Joe Root’s first official assignment as England’s Test captain since returning to the role. Newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming has been involved in selecting the squad, while Marcus Trescothick will oversee the team as interim head coach for this series before Fleming takes full charge.
England face injury concerns
England will be without top-order batter Jacob Bethell, who has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury during the team’s recent 2-1 ODI series win over India.England enter the series after losing 2-1 at home to New Zealand, while Pakistan drew their recent Test series in the West Indies.England squad for first two Tests against Pakistan: Joe Root (captain), 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.
