25-year-old pacer set to make debut for one-off Test against Ireland

Josh Tongue, a Worcestershire seamer, is set to make his England debut in the lone Test versus Ireland at Lord's starting on Thursday after Chris Woakes was passed over. When the Ashes begin on Friday, June 16, James Anderson (groyne) and Ollie Robinson (ankle) won't be risked.

The 25-year-old is going to accompany Stuart Broad as well as Matthew Potts for England's seam attack. Tongue has taken 11 wickets throughout four County Championship games so far this year, bringing his total first-class record to 162 wickets over 47 games with an average of 26.04.

Talking to Sky Sports News last week, Tongue said he would provide "pace, bounce, and a little bit of movement" if he made his Test debut. Tongue sidelined 15 months of cricket during the years 2021 and 2022 owing to a right shoulder issue that required two procedures.

Woakes missed the games last summer owing to a knee injury, and he was hoping to return for his first Test since March 2022 as well as first home match since September 2021. The 34-year-old will not play this week despite having an outstanding Test record at Lord's, where he has taken 27 wickets in five matches at an average of 11.33, including a best of 6-17 during a 143-run victory against Ireland four years ago.

 It's just a dream come true : Josh Tongue

Josh Tongue spoke to Star Sports news after this information broke out. He said,

"It's an amazing feeling. Speechless really, even from when I got the first call-up to be in the squad. Now being in the actual team, it's just a dream come true really.”

The fast bowler then told about how he found out he is going to play for his country in the one-off Test against Ireland. He said,

"Baz (coach Brendon McCullum) came up to me just before training finished and gave me the good news. I bowled at some of the lads on Monday, I felt like I bowled nicely and obviously I must have bowled fairly well to get selected."