England seamer Josh Tongue has received Australia in his sights as he seems to place an finish to 18 months of harm woe with a long-awaited comeback in Sydney.
Lengthy earlier than Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse made their spectacular arrivals on the Check stage, Tongue was the up-and-coming seamer who England picked to clean up their tempo assault.
In June 2023 he was using excessive, taking 5 for 66 towards Eire on his worldwide debut at Lord’s earlier than returning later that month for a highly-charged Ashes conflict.
The event is greatest remembered for Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping however newcomer Tongue performed an important hand for his aspect, dismissing David Warner and Steve Smith in each innings.


However the 27-year-old’s progress got here to shuddering halt a number of weeks later, struggling a freak pectoral harm that left him sidelined for a yr earlier than a deliberate comeback was wrecked by a hamstring downside.
He’s now lastly eyeing a long-awaited comeback, coaching onerous on the England Lions tour Down Below hoping to be on the teamsheet on January 29 for the unofficial Check towards Australia A.
Coping with Accidents
“It’s been a tricky time, I really feel like I’m an unfortunate lad however hopefully I’ve had my share,” Tongue advised the Cricket Paper.
“I’ve been constructing my health up and, though I do know I’m not at 100 per cent but, I’m progressing properly.
“If every part goes nicely within the subsequent couple of weeks I’ll be placing my identify within the hat for the final recreation of the tour.
“The pec feels good, the perfect it’s been in ages, and it’s been good to get again to my full run-up. I’ve been bowling at batters once more, which I hadn’t accomplished shortly.
“The primary time I bowled at Alex Davies I used to be simply hoping I didn’t hit the side-netting, however I nicked him off at one level. I’ve nonetheless received it!”
Ashes on the playing cards?
England will likely be hoping that’s the case. Tongue stays extremely considered and has each likelihood of being again in Australia for subsequent winter’s Ashes marketing campaign if he finds type with Nottinghamshire over the summer season.
Ought to that decision come, he already is aware of he has the abilities to match up.
“It was an incredible yr for me in 2023 and I proved I may take huge wickets in huge video games,” he mentioned.


“I’ve received a number of relations and mates who like to say (his Ashes wickets), however I do know I can do it at that stage. If I’m match and bowling nicely, hopefully I’ve received a sniff of getting again into that England aspect.
“I’ve had a number of messages. Baz (head coach Brendon McCullum) advised me, ‘keep sturdy via this, it is going to all be good on the opposite aspect’ and I noticed (director of cricket) Rob Key at a camp in Cape City.
“Everybody has stored involved over the previous yr and been very supportive. They only need to see me again taking part in and that’s what I need as nicely.
“It’s an enormous yr developing and something may occur, as I do know. I simply need to get via this journey, begin the season nicely with Notts after which we’ll see the way it goes after that.
“I’m not placing any strain on myself however it will be good to get some overs underneath my belt and choose up a number of wickets once more.”
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