May 17th 2024.
As England eagerly prepares for their Test summer, they have been hit with some unfortunate news. Pacer Josh Tongue, who has been a crucial part of their team, has been sidelined due to a pectoral injury. The extent of his absence is currently unknown, leaving the team in a state of uncertainty.
Their first challenge will be a three-match Test series against West Indies, which is set to begin on July 10. However, with veteran bowler James Anderson retiring after the first Test at Lord's, England is left with a shortage of options in their pace bowling department for the rest of the series.
According to reports from the International Cricket Council, the England and Wales Cricket Board stated, "Josh has had a setback to his original injury. There is no definite timeline for his return to the game." This news comes as a disappointment for Tongue, who last played for England in June of last year. He was among the top contenders to fill in for Anderson in the red-ball format.
The 26-year-old made his Test debut against Ireland in 2019 and has since taken 10 wickets in his two-match career. However, his journey has been plagued with injuries, causing him to miss England's white-ball tour of West Indies and the five-match Test series against India earlier this year.
Tongue's injury also puts his availability for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka in doubt. His skills as a right-arm fast bowler have been praised, with 177 wickets under his belt for his county team, Worcestershire. His impressive record includes nine five-wicket hauls and seven four-fors, with a first-class average of 25.45.
It is a tough blow for both Tongue and England, who were counting on his potential as a key player in their upcoming matches. As the team navigates through this setback, they will have to look for alternative options to fill the void left by Tongue's absence.
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