England’s surprise selection of young pace bowler Josh Tongue for the second Ashes Test has raised eyebrows. This will only be his second Test match, following an impressive debut against Ireland at HQ last month. Tongue replaces the veteran off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali in Ben Stokes’ only change to the England side that narrowly lost the thrilling first Ashes Test at Edgbaston by two wickets. Here’s all you need to know about the Josh Tongue.
Josh Tongue’s Career Record
Tongue came into the scene as a teenager for Worcestershire, making an impact with a five-wicket haul on his County Championship debut against Glamorgan in 2017. He ended the season with an impressive tally of 47 wickets.
His performance earned him a debut for the England Under-19 Test team and a spot on the Lions tour to Australia. However, injuries plagued his progress, with a stress fracture in his foot hampering his development after a successful 2018 season with 40 Division One wickets. There were concerns about his future in the game as he faced a 15-month layoff.
Tongue had to undergo two surgeries and Botox injections in his right shoulder due to thoracic outlet syndrome. His return to action came during the Lions’ tour of Sri Lanka last winter, where he showcased his skills with 5/76 and eight wickets in the match in Galle. The presence of England managing director Rob Key in the stands was a positive sign. In his first-class career, Tongue has taken 167 wickets in 48 matches at an average of 25.9, with a best of 6/97.
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Josh Tongue’s Debut against Ireland
While it seemed Tongue was initially included for the experience against Ireland, with James Anderson and Ollie Robinson rested due to pre-Ashes concerns, but he grabbed the opportunity and proved his worth. Tongue bowled impressively in the first innings, showcasing his ability to maintain pace throughout long spells. Although he remained wicketless in the first innings, he made a significant impact in the second innings, claiming figures of 5/66. This outstanding performance earned him a place on the Lord’s honours board.