Emilio Gay likely to earn debut cap as England name playing XII for Lord's Test against New Zealand

Emilio Gay is in line to make his Test debut as England have announced their playing XII for the first Test of the three-match series against Lord's. Right-arm fast bowler Sonny Baker could also make his red-ball debut as conditions are expected to be seamer-friendly at Lord's for the series opener starting Thursday. 

However, there could be a toss-up between Baker and Gus Atkinson depending upon whether England want "extra air speed" or look to extract some movement from the surface if the conditions flatten out.

"We'll just work out whether we want the extra air speed, if all of a sudden it becomes 35 degrees and flattens out. Or we stick to what's tried and tested at Lord's and remain with more of the type of bowlers that'll extract some movement with some overhead conditions," England's head coach Brendon McCullum was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"We're very comfortable with the group that we've got," McCullum added. "We're confident in what we're going to pick. That doesn't guarantee us anything, but it gives us what we think will allow us the best opportunity against New Zealand at Lord's. We want to stick to what we think is going to be required in these conditions against this opposition," he added.

England may give a nod to off-spinner Shoaib Bashir after he was overlooked during their Ashes campaign down under. The Three Lions preferred to go in with Will Jacks as he gave them more balance with his all-round ability. However, McCullum has hinted at Bashir's inclusion in the playing XI.

"Bash [Bashir], he has the ability to probably play more of a holding role in the first couple days here at Lord's," McCullum said. "Then as the game deepens, and if spin becomes more prevalent, then he can go more into an attacking role."

England's playing XII for the Lord's Test against New Zealand:

Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue