The debate over England's Test opening spot has a new prominent contender in Emilio Gay who smashed a match-winning 159 not out for Durham against Lancashire. It not only provided Durham with a vital victory, it also helped them to complete their third highest run chase in first-class cricket. Coming at a time when England are searching for solutions at the top of the order, it was ideally timed from Gay. Having been encouraged to stake his claim through counties, by Ben Stokes himself, he has clearly followed suit. Good Numbers and Ideal Timing Gay's 159* was his second hundred in his first three games this season. He followed up 2025's excellent campaign in which he notched close to 1,000 runs in Division One, and including centuries against leading teams Notts and Surrey. Although he batted at number three this match,Gay's a natural opener. He hasopened at all levels and for England Lions in Australia, where he scored 56* against the Prime Minister's XI and 78 against a Cricket Australia XI prior to a tour-ending injury. Durham coach Ryan Campbell was delighted after the match. "I know there's going to be a lot of talk about him. All we're talking about is him playing for Durham. "He was disappointed with his shot in the first innings when he'd done the hard work and he could've cashed in. This time he did." Gay's style is not that of an aggressive opener like Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, and early on in an innings, his defence comes to the forefront. He only plays a shot 22 per cent of balls in the first ten overs, favouring leaving the ball when the time is not right. Also Read | ‘Who Is Taking These Calls?’ LSG Strategy Questioned as Sehwag Slams Langer, Moody, Williamson Selection Battle Gets Complicated England's opening spot race is filling up, with the century from Gay coming off the back of centuries from Dom Sibley and Haseeb Hameed last weekend. Young talent James Rew and Durham's own Ben McKinney are also emerging options. Gay's record as an opener is good - he has averaged over 53 in this position since 2024, better than he has as a number three. His patient style of batting could provide England with an alternative option at the top of the order. However, question marks remain. His averages come down against top bowlers and at times, he has been vulnerable against right arm pace around the wicket, with the bowler responsible for two dismissals in a county match last year being Matt Henry. Despite this, Gay's performances make it increasingly difficult for England to overlook him and the next few matches before England play New Zealand on the 4th of June could be pivotal for selection. So far, Gay has pretty much done all that can be asked of him. How the final selection call is made could come down to whether England decide to favor steadiness and control over the attacking options that have currently been utilized.