[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-england-drop-crawley-gay-handed-debut-for-new-zealand-test":43,"news-related-england-drop-crawley-gay-handed-debut-for-new-zealand-test-en":77,"news-related-match-england-drop-crawley-gay-handed-debut-for-new-zealand-test-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":28,"hostCities":39},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",6,23,"upcoming",[40,41,42],"Mexico City","Monterrey","Zapopan",{"article":44},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":45,"category":46,"excerpt":47,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":48,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":52,"slug":53,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":55,"teamId":56,"teamName":57,"teamIds":58,"teamNames":67,"title":76},"England have made a bold statement ahead of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, dropping opener Zak Crawley and handing a debut to Durham's Emilio Gay. The move comes as Ben Stokes' side looks to turn the page on a miserable winter tour of Australia, where they succumbed to a 4-1 Ashes drubbing that exposed deep fractures in the batting lineup. Gay's inclusion is the most eye-catching of several changes expected for a series that marks England's return to home soil and the start of a new cycle under Stokes' leadership.\n\nThe three-Test series against New Zealand kicks off on June 4, 2026, at the iconic Lord's ground, with further matches scheduled at The Kia Oval (June 17) and Trent Bridge (June 25). It is England's first red-ball assignment since the Ashes debacle, and the pressure to deliver has been palpable. The decision to axe Crawley, who has been a fixture at the top of the order in recent years, sends a clear signal that past performances will no longer guarantee a place. Instead, the selectors are backing form and potential, turning to a 23-year-old left-hander who has been quietly prolific in the county circuit.\n\nEmilio Gay, a product of the Durham academy, has been on the selectors' radar for some time. His technique against the moving ball and his ability to occupy the crease for long periods have drawn comparisons with former England openers who thrived in home conditions. While his first-class numbers are modest by some standards, his temperament and recent weight of runs in the County Championship convinced the management that he was ready for the step up. Debuting at Lord's, in the opening Test of a series against the reigning World Test champions, is as stern a test as any cricketer can face, but the England camp believes Gay has the mental fortitude to handle the occasion.\n\nCrawley's omission, while surprising to some, had been brewing. The tall Kent batsman often flashed promise but never quite found the consistency required at the highest level. During the Ashes, he frequently fell to the short ball and struggled against the relentless accuracy of Australia's pace battery. With England's top order repeatedly collapsing, the need for a more reliable partner for the other opener—likely Alex Lees—became critical. Gay's left-handedness also offers a different angle, potentially unsettling New Zealand's right-arm heavy attack led by Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson.\n\nFor Stokes, this selection is a statement of intent. The captain has emphasised building a team that can compete across all conditions, and the recall of several experienced heads alongside the injection of youth suggests a balanced approach. Stokes himself is returning to full fitness after a knee issue, and his all-round contribution will be vital. But the spotlight will inevitably fall on the debutant. Lord's has a tradition of revealing character, and how Gay handles the first hour against the new ball could set the tone for England's summer.\n\nNew Zealand arrive as formidable opponents, carrying the confidence of their recent successes. Their attack, missing the retired Neil Wagner but still potent, will probe any technical flaws. Gay's county teammate, Matt Henry, knows his game well and will be eager to exploit any nerves. The dismissal of Crawley might also have a psychological impact on the dressing room—it demonstrates that no one is safe, and places must be earned. That internal competition could galvanise a squad that, until now, has looked short of self-belief.\n\nThe broader implications for England's Test setup are significant. With a packed schedule ahead, including series against tougher opponents, the team management needs to identify a core group of players who can take the side forward. Gay's debut is as much an investment in the future as it is a response to immediate concerns. If he succeeds, England could have solved one half of their opening puzzle for years to come. If he struggles, the questions surrounding the selection panel's judgment will intensify.\n\nAs the players assembled at Lord's on a cloudy morning, the buzz around Gay's debut was impossible to ignore. The thin air of Test cricket can be unforgiving, but it also offers the stage for heroes to emerge. England fans, still nursing Ashes wounds, will hope that the young opener can provide them with a reason to believe again. The game's oldest format has a way of scripting fairy tales, and for Emilio Gay, the first chapter begins now.\n\nBased on reporting from Sky Sports.","news","England drop Zak Crawley for first Test vs New Zealand at Lord's; Durham opener Emilio Gay debuts in batting shake-up after 4-1 Ashes defeat.","338045243049906177","326135625054949376","Premier League","0","2026-06-04T09:50:00Z","england-drop-crawley-gay-handed-debut-for-new-zealand-test","Sky Sports","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.skysports.com\u002Fcricket\u002Flive-blog\u002F12040\u002F13550634\u002Fengland-vs-new-zealand-first-test-day-one-live-score-updates-video-and-analysis-as-ben-stokes-side-begin-summer-at-lords","326222711682502656","England",[56,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66],"326222713104371712","326222712622026752","326257789150171136","326257789368274944","326222711976103936","326257789951283200","326222712429088768","326257790026780672",[57,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75],"New Zealand","South Africa","Afghanistan","Bangladesh","Australia","Sri Lanka","Scotland","Pakistan","England Drop Crawley: Gay Handed Debut for New Zealand Test",[78,126,143,152],{"awayTeamId":79,"awayTeamName":80,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":81,"homeTeamId":82,"homeTeamName":83,"id":84,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":85,"matchName":86,"publishedAt":87,"slug":88,"sourceName":89,"sourceURL":90,"teamId":91,"teamName":92,"teamIds":93,"teamNames":109,"title":125},"326255037950988288","Crystal Palace","Liverpool intensify Diomande chase but face PSG competition as player prefers Paris; Arsenal also battle PSG for Kroupi and Alvarez as transfer window heats up.","326257546258026496","Manchester City","338092034118127617","327053872243675136","Manchester City vs Crystal Palace","2026-06-04T20:47:09Z","what-liverpool-s-diomande-contact-means-psg-battle-more","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fcz727jjzyvqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257545918287872","Liverpool",[91,82,79,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106,107,108],"326257534526558208","326257565233057792","326255038898900992","326222712533946368","326257545792458752","326222712110321664","326257545754710016","326257545968619520","326257546325135360","326257546220277760","326257539542945792","326257565195309056","326257546291580928","326257539333230592","326257536078450688",[92,83,80,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122,123,124],"RB Leipzig","Atletico Madrid","AIK Stockholm","Ivory Coast","Bournemouth","Argentina","Newcastle","Arsenal","Brentford","Chelsea","Juventus","Barcelona","Brighton","AC Milan","Paris Saint Germain","What Liverpool's Diomande Contact Means: PSG Battle & More",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":127,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":128,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":129,"slug":130,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":131,"teamId":56,"teamName":57,"teamIds":132,"teamNames":137,"title":142},"Alphonsi slams RFU's seven-month privilege ban for Smith sexist post as lenient, saying misogyny persists in rugby.","338071662446514177","2026-06-04T20:12:00Z","alphonsi-blasts-rfu-punishment-7-month-ban-for-sexist-post","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.skysports.com\u002Frugby-union\u002Fnews\u002F12040\u002F13550896\u002Fmaggie-alphonsi-very-disappointed-by-punishment-for-rfu-council-member-matthew-smith-over-sexist-social-media-post",[56,133,60,59,134,135,63,99,100,136],"326222711447621632","326257571990081536","326257808754348032","326257807714160640",[57,138,69,68,139,140,72,115,116,141],"France","Montpellier","Northampton","Leicester","Alphonsi Blasts RFU Punishment: 7-Month Ban for Sexist Post",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":144,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":145,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":146,"slug":147,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":148,"teamId":56,"teamName":57,"teamIds":149,"teamNames":150,"title":151},"Ollie Robinson took 4-10, including a triple-wicket maiden, in his first Test in two years as England reduced New Zealand to 61-6 on day one at Lord's.","338094453958905857","2026-06-04T19:46:00Z","ollie-robinson-4-wickets-in-comeback-after-two-year-hiatus","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.skysports.com\u002Fcricket\u002Fnews\u002F12040\u002F13550889\u002Fengland-vs-new-zealand-ollie-robinson-says-he-thought-hed-never-play-for-his-country-again-after-dream-comeback",[56,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66],[57,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75],"Ollie Robinson: 4 Wickets in Comeback After Two-Year Hiatus",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":153,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":154,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":155,"slug":156,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":157,"teamId":91,"teamName":92,"teamIds":158,"teamNames":166,"title":174},"Liverpool appoint Andoni Iraola on two-year deal; ex-Bournemouth boss led Cherries to Europa League, finishing just 3 points behind Reds in 2025-26.","338057248469159937","2026-06-04T19:28:00Z","iraola-named-liverpool-boss-what-his-2-year-deal-means","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.skysports.com\u002Ffootball\u002Fnews\u002F12040\u002F13550174\u002Fandoni-iraola-liverpool-appoint-former-bournemouth-boss-as-arne-slots-successor-on-two-year-deal",[91,98,159,108,160,161,162,163,164,165],"326257534430089216","326257808385249280","326222712462643200","326257809152806912","326257534329425920","326257545712766976","326257546392244224",[92,114,167,124,168,169,170,171,172,173],"Eintracht Frankfurt","Sheffield Wednesday","Bosnia & Herzegovina","Milton Keynes Dons","Borussia Dortmund","Manchester United","Nottingham Forest","Iraola Named Liverpool Boss: What His 2-Year Deal Means"]