Former England captain Eoin Morgan said that the young Josh Tongue could earn a spot in the opening Test of the upcoming Ashes series starting in Edgbaston on June 16 as well. Tongue, who was given an opportunity in the recently concluded one-off Test against Ireland, claimed a five-wicket haul on his debut for England in the second innings at Lords as well.
While speaking to Sky Sports, the former World cup winning captain Eoin Morgan said: “As a captain, you need to have cards up your sleeve in order to play them at various stages of the game. One of the questions that are hovering over this team at the moment is when it does go flat, will it turn, and if it doesn’t, you need somebody with a bit of pace or some point of difference.”
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With the regular pace bowlers, Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson, still recovering from injuries, Morgan stated that Tongue could be added in the squad as well. However, England announced a 16-member squad for the first two Ashes Tests, which included seven pacers as well. “He has a genuine chance of playing in the Ashes, if the injuries continue to come. The fact that he’s in the squad gives him the opportunity to continue to impress,” further added Morgan.
Meanwhile, England’s newest pace sensation Josh Tongue opined on picking up his first five-wicket haul on his debut in the one-off Test against Ireland. After going wicketless in the first innings, the youngster dismissed Peter Moor and Andrew Balbirnie in the final ball of the same over as well.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after his stunning debut, Tongue said: “I am over the moon. A week ago I didn’t know if I would be playing for Worcestershire or coming here. To play at Lord’s and to take five wickets was a very special moment. I grew up wanting to play for England and when that came I was over the moon. My first wicket was a blur but hitting that line and length first ball and taking two wickets in my first over [in the second innings] took the pressure off. I didn’t really expect to be in it, to be fair. It is very special for me and my family,” concluded Josh Tongue.
