England seamer Josh Tongue has bought Australia in his sights as he appears 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 driving excessive, taking 5 for 66 in opposition to Eire on his worldwide debut at Lord’s earlier than returning later that month for a highly-charged Ashes conflict.
The event is finest remembered for Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping however newcomer Tongue performed a significant hand for his facet, dismissing David Warner and Steve Smith in each innings.
However the 27-year-old’s progress got here to shuddering halt just a few weeks later, struggling a freak pectoral harm that left him sidelined for a 12 months earlier than a deliberate comeback was wrecked by a hamstring drawback.
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 in opposition to Australia A.
Coping with Accidents
“It’s been a troublesome time, I really feel like I’m an unfortunate lad however hopefully I’ve had my share,” Tongue informed 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 thing goes effectively within the subsequent couple of weeks I’ll be placing my identify within the hat for the final sport of the tour.
“The pec feels good, one of the best 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 executed 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 bought it!”
Ashes on the playing cards?
England will probably be hoping that’s the case. Tongue stays extremely considered and has each probability of being again in Australia for subsequent winter’s Ashes marketing campaign if he finds kind with Nottinghamshire over the summer time.
Ought to that decision come, he already is aware of he has the abilities to match up.
“It was an incredible 12 months for me in 2023 and I proved I may take massive wickets in massive video games,” he stated.
“I’ve bought just a few 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 effectively, hopefully I’ve bought a sniff of getting again into that England facet.
“I’ve had just a few messages. Baz (head coach Brendon McCullum) informed me, ‘keep sturdy by way of this, it can all be good on the opposite facet’ and I noticed (director of cricket) Rob Key at a camp in Cape City.
“Everybody has saved in touch over the previous 12 months and been very supportive. They simply need to see me again enjoying and that’s what I would like as effectively.
“It’s a giant 12 months arising and something may occur, as I do know. I simply need to get by way of this journey, begin the season effectively with Notts after which we’ll see the way it goes after that.
“I’m not placing any stress on myself however it will be good to get some overs below my belt and decide up just a few wickets once more.”
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