Josh Tongue

Josh Tongue is a resilient right-arm fast-medium bowler who has recently solidified his place as a premier strike option for England. He uses his height to generate significant pace and bounce, making him a formidable threat on any surface. After overcoming serious injury concerns that sidelined him for long periods, Tongue enjoyed a spectacular 2025, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the Men’s Hundred with 14 scalps for the Manchester Originals. His breakthrough into the 2025-26 Ashes series was equally historic; he claimed a sensational five-wicket haul in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, becoming the first England bowler of the 21st century to achieve the feat at that venue. This performance earned him the Mullagh Medal and guided England to their first Test victory on Australian soil in 15 years.

The 2026 season represents a new frontier for Tongue as he earns his maiden white-ball call-up for England's national side. Despite having only appeared in the Test arena previously, his ability to deliver under pressure at the MCG and his dominance in the shorter format domestically convinced selectors of his readiness for international T20s. He has been named in the provisional 15-man squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, where his disciplined pace is expected to be a vital asset. Before the global tournament, he is set to join the tour of Sri Lanka in late January to hone his skills in subcontinental conditions. As a central figure in England’s white-ball 'reset,' Tongue’s transition from a red-ball specialist to an all-format force will be a major narrative for the year ahead.