Josh Tongue is edging closer to achieving his goal of becoming England’s all-format impact bowler after overcoming significant injury setbacks early in his career. Now 28, Tongue has established himself as a key component of England’s bowling attack across Test and T20 formats and is poised to make his one-day international debut this month.
Tongue’s journey has been marked by considerable physical challenges. In his mid-20s, a shoulder condition known as thoracic outlet syndrome sidelined him for 15 months, forcing him to consider a premature transition into coaching. Following his return, he faced further hurdles including a ruptured pectoral muscle in the summer of 2023 and a torn hamstring that kept him out for the entire 2024 season. Despite these setbacks, he has demonstrated resilience and determination, dedicating extensive time to rehabilitation and conditioning.
The Nottinghamshire pace bowler’s hard work has paid off. After being the standout bowler in England’s Test squad during last winter’s Ashes series, Tongue earned his T20 debut in England’s recent victory over India at Old Trafford. He remains part of an unchanged England XI at Trent Bridge, where the hosts hold a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match T20 series. Tongue is also in contention for his first ODI cap following his recent call-up for the 50-over series against India.
“I want to be a big impact bowler in every format—in Tests, T20s, and 50 overs,” Tongue said ahead of the third T20 match. He acknowledged the difficulty of his injury history but emphasized the necessity of hard work and body management to sustain a career as a fast bowler. “With the injuries I had a few years ago, not knowing if I was still going to be playing cricket, I put a lot of hard work in at the gym, running as well. There were some gloomy days, but that’s the hard work you need to stay out on the park and keep representing England.”
Tongue also highlighted the increased demands of Test cricket and the importance of close collaboration with England’s science and medical teams to monitor his fitness. His current role as a front-line bowler across formats underscores management’s confidence in his ability to handle a demanding workload despite his injury history.
The Trent Bridge match sees Tongue renewing a notable new-ball contest with India’s teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Tongue, a former Worcestershire bowler, bested Sooryavanshi’s opening deliveries but was later hit for a six by the young batsman, who impressed with his striking ability. Tongue praised Sooryavanshi as an exciting talent, having also observed his performances in the Indian Premier League.
England’s recent form in the series includes a successful chase of 191 runs at Old Trafford, led by an unbeaten 76 from Jacob Bethell. With three T20 matches in the series remaining, both teams face the challenge of contending with favorable batting conditions at Trent Bridge, known for its short boundaries and true pitches, which have produced high scores in the past.
As Tongue continues to cement his place in England’s plans, the all-format bowler is focused on maximizing his opportunities while managing the physical demands of international cricket.