Northamptonshire’s Emilio Gay celebrated his 24th birthday in style, smashing an unbeaten 165 to lead his team to a commanding position on day one of their Vitality County Championship match against Middlesex at Wantage Road.
Gay, who has now scored five first-class centuries, found an able ally in skipper Luke Procter, who contributed 73 in a 189-run partnership that eclipsed Northamptonshire’s previous highest second-wicket stand against Middlesex.
After being put into bat, Northamptonshire lost opener Jason Broad early on, but Gay and Procter took control, frustrating the Middlesex bowlers on a docile wicket. Gay looked vulnerable early on, but grew in confidence, playing some attractive shots and taking on the short ball.
Procter, who had made 92 against Sussex in their previous match, was solid in defense and played some crisp attacking shots. The pair took Northamptonshire to 106 for one at lunch and continued to score at a steady pace after the break.
As Middlesex resorted to short-pitched bowling, Procter was struck under the armpit by Roland-Jones, but otherwise remained largely untroubled. Gay, on the other hand, took a more attacking approach, pulling and driving with authority.
Gay reached his century in style, slashing Higgins through point for his ninth boundary. After the interval, Procter fell to de Caires, but Karun Nair joined Gay and added 86 runs before being dismissed for 41.
With the new ball, Ethan Bamber and Roland-Jones found some movement off the seam, but Gay remained unfazed, playing some exquisite shots and taking Northamptonshire to a dominant position of 311 for three at the close of play.
