Josh Tongue is a rising English fast bowler who has quickly made a name for himself in international cricket. Known for his height, pace, and ability to extract bounce, Josh Tongue Profile: England Cricket & Ashes 2026 Highlights Tongue has become a pivotal part of England’s pace attack across formats — especially in Tests.
At six‑foot four, Tongue combines athleticism with disciplined bowling to trouble top batters. Despite injury setbacks early in his career, he has bounced back strongly and now features regularly for England and in domestic competitions.
Early Life & Domestic Career
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Full name: Joshua Charles Tongue.
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Birth & background: Emerged through English domestic circuits with Worcestershire before moving to Nottinghamshire.
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Domestic teams: Worcestershire (boyhood club), Nottinghamshire (signed 2023), Manchester Originals (The Hundred).
Injury & Comeback
Tongue suffered a major injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024 county season. After undergoing rehabilitation, he made a successful return in 2025 — not just with the ball, but also with a maiden first‑class half‑century. International Career Overview
England Debut
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Test debut: June 1, 2023, vs Ireland at Lord’s — took 5/66 in the second innings.
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That performance earned him a spot on the Lord’s honours board.
Ashes & England Opportunities
Tongue has been part of the England Test setup including Ashes series selection — a testament to his pace and skill. His inclusion in the 2025‑26 Ashes squad highlighted England’s plans for a strong pace attack.
Bowling Profile & Style
Josh Tongue is a right‑arm fast bowler who bowls with rhythm, pace, and the ability to generate bounce due to his height.
Key attributes:
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Height: Six‑foot four — helps extract bounce.
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Pace: Regularly hits 140kph+ with peaks near speed zones that trouble batters.
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Discipline: Bowls disciplined lengths and thrives on seam movement.
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Swing & seam: Effective in conditions offering seam and bounce.
Career Bowling Stats (Test & First‑Class)
International Test Bowling
(Approximate cumulative figures)
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | 5‑Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 14+ | 36+ | 5/66 | ~29.5 | 2+ |
First‑Class Career
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Matches: ~97
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Wickets: ~200
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Best bowling: 6/97
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Notable Highlights
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Multiple five‑wicket hauls at domestic and international levels.
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ODI/List A stats show room for growth in limited overs.
Josh Tongue in the 2025‑26 Ashes
Historic Boxing Day Test at MCG
On Day 1 of the 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Tongue produced a career‑best performance with 5/45, ending a 27‑year wait for an England bowler to take a five‑wicket haul at the venue.
Match Impact:
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England bowled Australia out for 152.
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Tongue’s figures bettered his previous best of 5/66.
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He dismissed key batsmen including Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
Contextual Insight:
This performance was significant as the MCG had been unfriendly territory for English bowlers for decades. Tongue’s feat boosted England morale despite the team trailing in the series.
Ashes Series Dynamic
While England struggled overall in the 2025‑26 Ashes, with Australia securing an early series advantage, Tongue stood out for his bowling aggression and effectiveness.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Generates bounce due to height
Can swing and seam the ball efficiently
Has multiple five‑wicket hauls
Resilient despite injury setbacks
Can trouble top order batters
Areas to Improve
Batting contribution is limited — typical tailender
Economy rates suggest room to tighten control in some formats
Must maintain fitness for consistent selection
Live Updates & Recent Performances
Ashes 4th Test at MCG: Tongue’s 5/45 was a standout bowling display.
Third Test squad inclusion: Replaced Atkinson in the lineup for a critical match.
Fan discussions online reflect mixed views on pace sustainability and consistency.
Comparative Metrics: Tongue vs. Peers
When placed alongside other international pacers on raw metrics:
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Strike rate & averages indicate promising Test credentials.
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Bowls at competitive pace but sometimes below elite speed bowling benchmarks.
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Excels in favorable bowling conditions.
Overall: A solid Test bowler with potential to be key in future England attacks pending fitness and consistency.
Josh Tongue’s Role in England Cricket Future
2026 & Beyond
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Likely to remain in England’s pace rotation in Tests.
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Potential to feature in limited overs if format fit improves.
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Could evolve into a leader among seamers with experience.
Upside Factors
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Youth and height advantage.
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Recent historical milestones increase confidence and profile.
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Strong domestic performances continue to push his case.
Unique Insights
MCG Milestone: Tongue’s five‑wicket haul at the Boxing Day Test was the first by an England bowler at MCG since 1998, ending a long drought.
Career resilience: Overcame both pectoral injury and shoulder nerve issues early in his career. Leadership in bowling unit: Even when team results lagged, Tongue’s individual efforts ensured England maintained a competitive bowling edge.
Conclusion
Josh Tongue has emerged from injury adversity to become a key Test bowler for England. His performances — notably the MCG five‑wicket haul — have etched his name into cricket history. With a promising skillset,Josh Tongue Profile: England Cricket & Ashes 2026 Highlights continued fitness and performances, he could be central to England’s bowling attack for years to come.
