England captain Ben Stokes said he was excited by the prospect of Harry Brook’s Test debut in the series finale against South Africa. Photo: Lindsey Parnaby / AFP
Josh Tongue boosts Ashes hopes after impressing Ben Stokes
Newly debuted England seamer Josh Tongue has impressed skipper Ben Stokes with his versatility in the victory over Ireland.
England captain Ben Stokes said he was excited by the prospect of Harry Brook’s Test debut in the series finale against South Africa. Photo: Lindsey Parnaby / AFP
Newly debuted England seamer Josh Tongue has impressed skipper Ben Stokes with his versatility in the victory over Ireland.
Tongue snatched a five-wicket haul in the second innings to get his name on the Lord’s honours board and whats more throw his hat into the Ashes ring.
Josh Tongue boosts Ashes hopes
Speaking after England completed a ten-wicket win over Ireland, Stokes lauded Tongue.
The England skipper was impressed with Tongue’s ability to do what he was asked to do.
“I told him the role that I saw him playing in this team as our third seamer, and used him in a way to get different types of spells out of one bowler,” Stokes said.
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“His first spell, he came on and bowled really well pitching the ball up. Then we looked to use his pace to use him as the aggressor when we needed to and the wicket got a bit flat. For him to show he’s more than one type of bowler does us the world of good as a team going forward, knowing we’ve found someone else who can fulfil the role of the guys with the extra pace.
“Bowling the long spell yesterday and two long spells today, I wasn’t quite sure of how to manage him so early on,” said Stokes.
“But I was very, very impressed with the way he just said yes to the plans I wanted him to operate under.”
A much-needed boost
Tongue’s emergence breathes new life into England’s pace stocks which have been blighted by injury ahead of a home Ashes series.
“He was very unlucky not to get a wicket in the first innings but he definitely reaped the rewards [in the second],” Stokes said.
“The way he bowled contributed to the five wickets he got in that innings because they were already on the back foot against him, knowing he’s got that extra bit of pace. He can bowl 90mph full and short, so he was sort of one step ahead in the second innings already because of how he bowled in the first innings.”
