Josh Tongue: A Rising Star in English Cricket

Josh Tongue, a 28-year-old fast bowler for Nottinghamshire and England, has made significant strides in his cricket career since his Test debut in 2023. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Tongue has garnered attention for his impressive bowling speed, often exceeding 90 mph. His performance during the 2023 Ashes series was particularly noteworthy; despite England's overall struggles, Tongue emerged as a key player, taking 18 wickets in just three matches, including a five-wicket haul at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This achievement made him the first England fast bowler to be named player of the match in an Australian Test since Dean Headley in 1998.

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Tongue's journey has not been without challenges. He faced serious health issues, including thoracic outlet syndrome, which nearly forced him into early retirement. After contemplating the possibility of a third surgery, he found relief through Botox injections that eased muscle compression, allowing him to return to bowling just weeks later. However, injuries continued to plague him, as he missed the entire 2024 season due to a ruptured pectoral and torn hamstring. Despite these setbacks, Tongue remains optimistic and focused on his goal of becoming England's opening bowler.

The Guardian

Tongue credits his coaches, Peter Moores and Brendon McCullum, for their supportive management style, which has helped him regain confidence. He expressed a desire to elevate his Test career, stating, “My dream is to be England’s opening bowler.” His performance against top-order players, particularly his success against renowned batsman Steve Smith, has bolstered his reputation. Tongue has dismissed Smith five times in seven first-class innings, a statistic that he finds both thrilling and surreal.

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Recently, Tongue was involved in a minor controversy when he was present during an incident where teammate Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer in Wellington. Although he was not part of the squad for the subsequent one-day international against New Zealand, the cricket regulator decided to take no further action against him. Tongue reflected on the incident, emphasizing his desire to move forward and focus on his cricketing career.

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Tongue has expressed his commitment to playing for England and making fans proud. He stated, “All I want to do is play cricket for England and make the fans happy.” His laid-back attitude towards selection and injuries reflects a mature perspective shaped by his experiences.

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• “When we were kids, me and my brother would play against each other in the garden and pretend we were playing an overseas Ashes Test.” — Josh Tongue

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• “It was just a horrible time,” — Josh Tongue on his health struggles.

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• “He just said: ‘I don’t want to hear you apologising for being injured ever again.” — Peter Moores, Nottinghamshire head coach.

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• “Well, he’s got plenty of runs against us too [Smith averages in the teens against Tongue] but it is amazing. He’s a player I grew up watching so a few times I have been thinking: ‘Bloody hell, I’ve just got Steve Smith out … again.’” — Josh Tongue on his success against the Australian batsman.

The Guardian

As the domestic cricket season progresses, Tongue is eager to return to the field and continue building on his promising career.

The Guardian