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Josh Tongue could almost hear the world come crashing down around him during a rough spell in 2024, where a string of injuries threatened to stall his impressive upward trajectory with the England cricket team. But now, this determined fast bowler is fit and ready to bounce back stronger than ever this summer.
Mid-2023 was a whirlwind for Tongue: a memorable debut at Lord’s against Ireland saw him claiming a five-wicket haul, and he achieved the remarkable feat of dismissing both David Warner and Steve Smith across both innings in a thrilling Ashes test.
However, reality hit hard when a pectoral injury grounded him, separate from the nerve issue in his shoulder that had kept him out between June 2021 and August 2022 – a setback so severe it nearly drove him to early retirement.
Josh Tongue (second right) made waves in the 2023 Lord’s Ashes Test by getting Warner and Smith out in both innings (Adam Davy/PA).
Tongue found himself sidelined longer than anticipated due to a setback and, just when he was eyeing a return, a hamstring injury struck. This means he’s yet to make his mark for Nottinghamshire, despite signing with them nearly two years ago.
Injury Issues
At 27, Tongue is finally back on his feet and reflecting on this unforeseen bump in the road, he shared, “It’s like the end of the world when these things happen. I kept wondering, how could this be?”
“All the work on my pec and out of nowhere, one sprint session at Loughborough, and there goes the hamstring – it feels downright unfair.
“Still, everything I’ve endured before has bolstered my mental toughness. Having the right support has been pivotal to my progress.”
“I’m determined to put all of that behind me. The hard work has paid off, and now I’m driven to once again don the England jersey.”
Comeback Trail
His journey back began with the England Lions in Australia this January, carefully shedding rust and reclaiming his form after not playing competitively last year. Impressively, he’s still clocking speeds close to 90mph.
While firmly on a central contract and with notable admirers like Rob Key, the managing director of England’s cricket operations, Tongue isn’t letting future opportunities, like another venture Down Under next winter, distract him.
For the moment, dreams of featuring in England’s high-profile summer series against India or revisiting the Ashes against Australia are on hold, mindful of all the time he’s spent recuperating.
“I’m not focused on that at all right now,” Tongue mentions. “Sure, the upcoming series against India is massive, but my focus is on staying fit and performing for Notts.”
“Playing in an Ashes series overseas is a universal dream in cricket; it’s tempting to ponder over it. However, I’m keeping my mind rooted in the present because who knows what six or seven months might bring.”
“If my performance shines and catches the selectors’ eyes, hopefully, I’ll get that call up again,” he adds optimistically.
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