India, May 15 -- The magnitude of his happiness was so big that new England opener Emilio Gay decided to drive more than 300km in his car to tell his parents that when England line up for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's early next month, he will open the innings alongside Ben Duckett.

26-year-old Gay has Italian as well as Caribbean heritage. His mother is Italian, while the father's family has its roots in Grenada. Born in Bedford, and thus he is a British citizen. Gay has represented Italy in some T20Is and he could have also played for the West Indies like Gordon Greenidge back in the day, but he chose the land of his birth.

The left-handed batsman recalls new England selector Marcus North's call the other day. "He actua...