Ashes 2023: "There Is No Reason Why He Can't Be Banging Down The Door" - Eoin Morgan Lauds Josh Tongue Following His Impressive Outing Against Ireland

Josh Tongue’s impressive performance against Ireland has caught the attention of former England captain Eoin Morgan, who believes the 25-year-old could be a key asset during the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.

Initially a late inclusion for the Ireland Test due to injuries to James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue has now secured his place in the 16-member squad for the first two Ashes Tests.

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Making his international debut at Lord’s, Josh Tongue was unable to claim any wickets in the first innings against Ireland. However, he showcased his potential by taking a remarkable 5 for 66 in the second innings.

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On day three, when the Irish batting lineup proved resilient in defeat, Josh Tongue stood out as the only bowler who made significant breakthroughs. Morgan emphasizes that Tongue offers a valuable “point of difference” on pitches that lack assistance for the bowlers.

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Josh Tongue Can Get The Ball To Move And Stick It Under – Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan, talking to Sky Sports, acknowledged the importance of having a range of options at his disposal. He drew on the experiences of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes’ formula, who had stressed the significance of having versatile players in the squad. In Morgan’s opinion, Josh Tongue had a genuine opportunity to make his mark in the Ashes series.

“It did [go flat] and they needed him probably more so than ever. One of the questions hovering over this team is when it does go flat, will it turn? And if is doesn’t, you need somebody with a bit of pace or a point of difference, and he has [that]. He’s a big bustly guy who can get the ball to move and stick it under [the batter’s] armpit and bowl to a short ball plan and create opportunities when you need them.

“As a captain you need cards up your sleeve. [Brendon] McCullum and [Ben] Stokes have talked about it for a long time and he has a genuine chance of playing in the Ashes. He got picked off the back of a net session two days before [the Ireland Test] so he can continue to do that [during the Ashes]. If things go against you early in a series, it forces selection changes so if he’s bowling thunderbolts in the net, there’s no reason why he can’t be banging down the door.”

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Josh Tongue’s unexpected selection for the Ireland Test, based on an impressive net session just two days prior, demonstrates his ability to perform under pressure. Morgan believes that Tongue can continue to prove his worth during the Ashes by consistently delivering strong performances in practice sessions.

In the early stages of a series, if things don’t go as planned, it often leads to changes in team selection. Morgan suggests that if Josh Tongue consistently bowls with pace and accuracy in the nets, he can push for a spot in the playing XI.

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With his remarkable performance against Ireland and the backing of the captain, Tongue’s confidence and aspirations are on the rise. As the highly anticipated Ashes series approaches, Tongue has the opportunity to further impress the selectors and secure a place in the team.

Morgan’s praise for Tongue highlights the importance of having depth in the squad and the potential impact of surprise selections. As England prepares to face Australia in the Ashes, Tongue’s emergence as a promising talent provides the team with an additional dimension and bolsters their chances of success in the fiercely competitive series.

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