ENG vs NZ 2026: ‘Felt like a dream’ – Emilio Gay on making Test debut at Lord’s

Eng vs NZ 2026: ‘Felt like a bit of a dream’ – Emilio Gay opens up on making Test debut at Lord’s (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

England opening batter Emilio Gay said he was unable to register the feelings of making his debut after notching up his maiden Test half-century in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

“It was a surreal day yesterday and then today was a bit of a whirlwind. I think the whole couple of days felt like a bit of a dream: 40,000 fans at Lord’s, tough conditions, getting my cap, family being here. I’m trying to lap it all in and enjoy it,” Gay said, speaking in the post-match press conference.

Gay’s elegant second-innings 57 comprised eight boundaries and came in 95 balls. The southpaw fell with the score at 126 for 3, after which Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes dismissed in quick succession, leaving the Three Lions reeling at 127 for 6.

Vital lower-order runs from Jamie Smith and Ollie Robinson took England to 226, leaving the Kiwis to chase 254 after they were bundled out for 113 at the start of Day 2. The 20-year-old lamented his dismissal and recognised it as a moment where the momentum shifted in the innings.

“I was disappointed when I got out – the overheads, the lights were on and Brooky and Rooty followed soon after. There was a natural disappointment that I had done all the hard work, faced nearly 100 balls, so the timing of it was a bit frustrating. I got a pretty good ball, but it felt like a real shift in momentum,” he said.

Robinson, on his return to the Test set up after over two years, registered figures of 5 for 39, including three in his first over. The second of those was Kane Williamson, who fell after an inside edge popped up and was held onto brilliantly by Gay, stationed at short-leg. He spoke of that as the moment when he realised the magnitude of making his debut. He alluded to the differences in feelings and emotions and how he handled them while batting and fielding.

“When Robbo [Robinson] was on a hat-trick and I was at short leg and the crowd was as loud as they’ve been I was just looking around. [Substitute] Sonny Baker came on to stand at mid-on or midwicket. I was looking at him, and he was looking at me. We spoke afterwards and it was like: ‘Can you believe this? This is mental. This is what we are doing. When I was batting, it was about seeing the ball, trying to get stuck in but when I was fielding, especially when wickets were falling [is when it really sunk in]. I think fielders think I’m daydreaming but I’m not. I’m just trying to lap it all up. It’s not really going to get as good as this, these last two days, so hopefully it keeps that way,” Gay said.

New Zealand finished Day 2 on 36 for 3, losing Tom Latham, Williamson, and nightwatchman Will O’Rourke cheaply. They need another 218 runs to seal victory, while England need seven wickets. A total of 33 wickets have fallen in the two days of the Test match.