Batsman Gay delighted as he signs new contract at Northants

The elegant left-hander, who scored his maiden first-class half-century in the County's Bob Willis Trophy win over Glamorgan last August, has been with the club since he was a youngster.

Now 20, Gay learned his cricketing craft through the Northamptonshire Academy, has been a heavy run-scorer for the youth section and second team, and says he is delighted to have committed his future to the club for the next two seasons.

“The club, coaches and captains have shown immense confidence in me, as a 20-year-old to get given a two year contract, which I am very grateful for.” said Gay, who was born in Bedford.

“Rosso (Adam Rossington), Cobby (Josh Cobb) and Rips (David Ripley) are very good at giving us the reassurance to go out and express ourselves and play our own game, which I hope to repay with runs next season.”

Opening batsman Gay was actually handed his Northants debut in the final Championship match of the 2019 season, but due to poor weather ruining the clash with Gloucestershire at Bristol he had to wait until last summer to play his first innings for the club.

Given his chance to shine in the truncated first-class season in 2020, Gay struggled initially, but in his sixth innings for the club he produced a match-winning knock of 77 not out as Glamorgan were beaten at the County Ground.

“I’m looking to score big runs and to cement my place as a first team player and most importantly, win games of cricket for Northamptonshire," said Gay.

“We had lots of young players who haven’t played a lot of first team cricket come through last year and not look out of place, which is a great sign for the club.”

And it's not just first-class cricket where Gay aims to shine.

“I can’t stress enough how much I would like to break in to the 50-over squad," he said.

"I will work as hard as possible to make sure I’m not just pigeonholed as a red ball specialist.”

The news that Gay has signed a new deal was welcomed by Northants' County Championship skipper Adam Rossington.

“Emilio has shown glimpses of what he can do last year and no doubt he will have benefitted from the experience," said the red-ball captain.

“It’s great for the club to have a young player of his potential and someone who’s work ethic is second to none.”