“We will just go for the win” - Josh Tongue reveals England’s intentions on Day 5

England pacer Josh Tongue, who played a crucial role in cleaning up India’s tail twice in the Leeds Test, has stated that England will just go for the win if they get full play on the fifth and final day of the ongoing first Test.

Notably, according to the forecast, there are chances of rain interrupting play, which might hamper the result for both sides. Interestingly, the hosts set a daunting target of 371 in the fourth innings with 21 runs already scored at stumps on Day 4.

It’s important to note England had only one draw in their last 36 Tests under captain Ben Stokes. Their only draw in these 36 Tests came in the rain-affected Manchester Test in the Ashes 2023 season. 

"[We will] just go for the win. That's the clear message in the changing room. It's just [about] being as positive as we can. They're going to bowl well at times tomorrow: it's just crucial we soak up that bit of pressure and reapply it. I don't see why we can't chase that down,” Tongue said at the post day press conference.

Tongue played an exceptional role, scalping a seven-wicket match haul after cleaning Indian tail-enders twice in the ongoing match. Interestingly, Team India collapsed from 430/3 to 471/10 in the first innings, courtesy of Tongue's four-wicket haul. 

Later in the second innings, Indian batters collapsed from 287/3 to 364/10 as the seamer scalped three tail wickets. Tongue has a nickname, suggested by Ben Duckett, in the dressing room ‘the mop’ as he is known to clean the tail.

“I’ve done it twice now, so I might have to start calling myself that. When the lower order is in it’s a good opportunity to get some wickets,” he added.

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