Cricket News India – ENG vs IRE: Uncapped Worcestershire pacer Josh Tongue has been included in England Test Squad for Ireland’s one-off Test. James Anderson and Ollie Robinson’s injury concerns left England with just four fast bowling options for the Ireland Test beginning on June 1. Thus England named a prolific uncapped player in the announced England Test.
Josh Tongue was on England’s radar since he toured Sri Lanka with the Lions Squad in February. Tongue has impressed everyone through his performance in the second unofficial Test which is Lions debut Test scalping 5 for 34 and 3 for 77 against Sri Lanka A. Though Josh Tongue has limited red ball experience, he has begun the 2023 season by scalping 11 wickets in Division 2 of the County Championship Season. He also became the first Sussex bowler to dismiss Steve Smith this summer, trapping the Australian batter for LBW on a score of 30 runs. The call-up is special as it marks a remarkable turnaround after Tongue considered taking retirement after staying out of action for 15 months due to a shoulder injury.
ENG vs IRE: Josh deserves a call-up, says Luke Wright
Tongue has managed to generate a good pace & bounce from a tall action & will join the Test squad for their Camp beginning this weekend. While Robinson, Mark Wood & Anderson would sit out of the Ireland Test in order to stay fit for the Ashes 2023. This situation increases the chances of Tongue receiving his maiden Test Cap next week. Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, and Matthew Potts are the other seamers in the squad.
Speaking to Worcestershire CCC’s website on his call-up, Josh Tongue said: “The invaluable experience I gained during the winter as part of the Lions team has given me the hunger to represent my country in more international cricket matches and obviously the next step is Test cricket.”
Josh Tongue highlighted the fact that his primary focus is playing for Worcestershire with whom he is associated for so long. He also said that the news of his selection is big news for him.
Luke Wright, England men’s national selector also praised Josh by saying that he deserved this inclusion to the Test squad. He also said that it will be a great experience for him to understand the proceedings of the National team & get used to the environment under Ben [Stokes] and Brendon [McCullum].
On the other hand, Ireland has announced a major change to the squad for the one-off Test with uncapped pacer Matthew Foster replacing Conor Olphert who has failed to recover from an ongoing knee issue. The squad will leave for England on Wednesday evening ahead of a three-match warm-up fixture against Essex at Chelmsford, which begins on Friday (May 26).
Also read, Netherlands Announce Squad For ICC World Cup Qualifier 2023
