Josh Tongue set for England recall after two years out with injury following stunning return for Nottinghamshire
Josh Tongue is set for an England recall later this week following a stunning return from long-term injury with County Championship leaders Nottinghamshire.
Tongue, 27, will be included in the Test squad to face Zimbabwe at his home ground of Trent Bridge after taking 15 wickets in three comeback appearances at the start of this season.
A ruptured pectoral muscle and torn hamstring had previously kept him out of domestic cricket since 2023.
Observers have been enthused by the speed and aggression with which the ex-Worcestershire seamer – whose two Test caps include the spicy Ashes affair at Lord’s two years ago – has bowled.
With the pace stocks limited by the absences of crocked duo Mark Wood and Olly Stone and Indian Premier League participant Jofra Archer, England’s selectors have also been boosted by the return to bowling of Brydon Carse after a winter in which he was dogged by a wound on his left pointer toe reopening.
Carse, 29, was arguably England’s best performer with the ball in the second half of 2024, taking 27 wickets in his first five Tests, and although it is unlikely they will rush him into the four-day contest against the Zimbabweans starting on May 22, the Durham man will be one of those invited to a training camp in Loughborough next week.
Josh Tongue is in line for a return to the England side for the first time since the 2023 Ashes
He has taken 15 wickets in three comeback appearances at the start of this Championship season
Tongue’s speeds and aggression for Nottinghamshire has pleased observers on his return
The squad for the opening international fixture of the summer, expected to be announced on Friday, will also feature uncapped Essex seamer Sam Cook, who gets his chance with Chris Woakes behind schedule with a calf niggle, plus Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts.
Like Carse, Hampshire youngster Sonny Baker – likely to be involved in limited-overs action against West Indies in late May – could be summoned to a camp as much about team bonding as training ahead of big series against India and Australia later this year.
One player who will not be involved, however, is Jacob Bethell, with the Warwickshire all-rounder expected to remain with Royal Challengers Bangalore in their quest to become Indian Premier League champions for the first time.
