Josh Tongue eyes ‘big impact’ in all formats after hard work on fitness

Five years ago Josh Tongue was considering an early end to his cricket career but he is now just one step away from fulfilling his ambition of becoming England’s all-format “impact bowler”.

A highly-rated youth pace prospect, Tongue was forced to contemplate a premature move into coaching after a shoulder complaint known as thoracic outlet syndrome forced him out of the game for 15 months in his mid-20s.

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A ruptured pectoral in the summer of 2023 put him back on the shelf a matter of weeks after he battled back to earn a place in the Test team, and a torn hamstring meant he missed the entire season in 2024.

But as England begin to build towards their next chapter, Tongue, now 28, has emerged as a cornerstone of their attack.

He is inked into the Test XI after out-performing the pack in last winter’s Ashes defeat, made his T20 debut in Saturday’s victory over India at Emirates Old Trafford and could add a first ODI cap later this month after winning a call-up for the 50-over series.

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Tongue’s injury history might have tempted the management into a more cautious workload, but the Nottinghamshire quick is relishing the chance to make up for lost time.

“I want to be a big impact bowler in every format, in Tests, T20s and 50 overs as well,” he said.

“Obviously I struggled with injuries a few years back, but that’s part of being a fast bowler. I’ve always wanted to play three formats for England.

“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 in the gym, where you feel the walls are getting closer and closer, but that’s the hard work you need to put in to make sure you can stay out on the park and keep representing England. I want to play as many games as I can because it’s a privilege.

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“Test cricket is very demanding, I’ve learnt that over the last few years. It’s about knowing your own body inside-out and knowing you’ve got the support to stay as fit as you can. The science and medical team are always asking how I am and we go from there.”

Tongue will take his place in an unchanged England XI at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, with the hosts 1-0 up with three to play in the Vitality Series.

That means a chance to renew his new-ball duel with 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Tongue beat the schoolboy sensation with his first two balls as the pair crossed paths on their respective debuts, before being clattered for six as the youngster showed off his remarkable ball-striking ability.

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“I’ve watched him at the IPL and he’s an amazing player, an exciting talent,” he said. “He got hold of me for that six, which was obviously a nice shot, but I try to focus as much as I can on myself.”

India’s power-packed top three of Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan will be licking their lips in Nottingham, where short boundaries and true pitches have made for big totals in the past.

But to square the series they will need to outmatch an England side who chased down 191 with an over to spare in Manchester, as Jacob Bethell’s 76 not out carried them home.

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