England pacer Josh Tongue thrilled by Ashes 2023 selection

Josh Tongue, the talented English fast bowler, expressed his joy and excitement at being named in England’s squad for the highly anticipated Ashes 2023 series. Tongue, who made his international debut in the One-off Test against Ireland, impressed the selectors with his impressive performance, earning him a place in the team for the first two Tests of the Ashes.

The selection panel decided to maintain an unchanged lineup from the One-off Test, with Josh Tongue being included in the squad. The 25-year-old seamer had a memorable debut, taking a five-wicket haul across the two innings against Ireland. Reflecting on his selection, Tongue described it as a special moment for him and his family, admitting that he did not expect to be included in the Ashes squad.

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“I did not really expect to be in it, to be fair. It is very special for me and my family. A week ago, I did not know if I would be playing for Worcestershire or coming here. To play at Lord’s and to take five wickets was a very special moment,” Tongue shared in an interview with Sky Sports.

Tongue also reminisced about a significant moment from his debut Test, describing it as a dream come true. He highlighted a particular moment during the second innings against Ireland when he was entrusted with the ball to challenge the opposition batsmen. Tongue made an immediate impact by taking two wickets in his very first over, relieving the pressure and setting the stage for a successful debut.

“I grew up wanting to play for England, and when that came, I was over the moon. My first wicket was a blur, but hitting that line and length first ball and taking two wickets in my first over [in the second innings] took the pressure off,” Tongue recalled.

With the One-off Test concluded, the England cricket team will now shift their focus to preparing for the crucial Ashes 2023 series, which is set to begin on June 16 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Ashes, a historic rivalry between England and Australia, will consist of five Test matches. Meanwhile, the Australian team will be focusing on the ICC World Test Championship Final against India before shifting their attention to retaining the Ashes trophy.

The England squad for the first two Ashes Tests includes a formidable lineup featuring players like Ben Stokes, James Anderson, Joe Root, and Stuart Broad, along with the promising young talent of Josh Tongue. The team is determined to reclaim the Ashes and put on a spectacular show for cricket fans around the world.