Skip to content

'We always knew Emilio Gay was a talented player'

Alex PopeBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
News imagePA Media England's Emilio Gay (centre) reacts after being caught out by New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell on day one of the first Rothesay Test match at Lord's, London. He is holding a bat in one arm, has a helmet on and is wearing white. He has a black armband on.PA Media
England's Emilio Gay (centre) reacts after being caught out by New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell on day one of the first Rothesay Test match at Lord's

A former teacher of cricketer Emilio Gay said he always knew he was a "talented player" as he made his Test debut for England against New Zealand at Lord's.

Gay, 26, grew up in Bedford, went to Bedford School, played for Northamptonshire for five years - and now plays for Durham.

Gary Steer, the director of cricket at the school, said he was great to train as he "just loved playing the game and he took everything on board".

The opener received his England Test cap, on Thursday morning, from another Bedford School alumnus, Sir Alastair Cook, before being dismissed for eight runs.

News imageGetty Images Durham opening batsman Emilio Gay receives his England test cap from Sir Alastair Cook ahead of the Test Match between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 04, 2026 in London, England. They are shaking hands, and all wearing blue. Getty Images
Emilio Gay was given his England test cap by another former Bedford School pupil, Sir Alastair Cook

Steer said: "Everyone at the school are really pleased that he's gone on and been selected for England."

He said he joined the school in 2012 and "worked so hard on his game, turned up to all the sessions, extra sessions".

"He was a really easy lad to work with because he just loved playing the game and he took everything on board.

"You could see straight away that he was a talented cricketer."

News imageBedford School Gay as a child, wearing a red cricket outfit, holding a ball in his left hand. He is walking on a cricket pitch. Bedford School
Gay during a school cricket tour in Dubai in 2014

He said following in the footsteps of Sir Alastair "we're pretty confident that Emilio will go on and do well in his own right because he's got all the credentials to do well at test level".

Steer said he started working with Gay when the cricketer was 12 and he "improved pretty quickly", adding: "He had a good solid batting technique but batting long periods of time is probably his biggest strength."

He said he was unable to travel to Lord's to see him as he was working - but confirmed he would watch the highlights later.

News imageBedford School Gary Steer, looking at the camera and smiling, wearing a blue top, with a blue gilet. He has short dark hair. Bedford School
Gary Steer is a former Derbyshire County Cricket Club player

Mohammad Yasin MP, the Labour MP for Bedford and Kempston, congratulated Gay on a "proud day" for the town.

"Every cricketer dreams of representing their country, and today Emilio achieved that dream," he said.

"From Bedford Cricket Club to the home of cricket, Emilio's journey is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and dedication."

News imageBedford School Emilio Gay, wearing a blue jumper, talking to two children, who have their back to the camera and are wearing cricket helmets. He has one hand to his neck, and he has short hair and a goatee beard. Bedford School
Gay returned to his old school in January to deliver a batting masterclass

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links