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England Suffer Huge Setback As Injury Forces Key Pacer To Walk Off The Field Before 1st Test

Debashis Sarangi

Josh Tongue in action [Source: @TrentBridge/X]Josh Tongue in action [Source: @TrentBridge/X]

In a massive setback to England, ace speedster Josh Tongue sustained an injury during the ongoing second unofficial Test against India-A at Northampton County Ground. The fast bowler, who is a part of the English squad that will take on India in five Tests, walked off the field during the high-profile contest. 

Josh Tongue's Injury Concerns England Before Headingley Test

Led by Ben Stokes, England are all set to cross swords against India in five Test matches in a highly-anticipated series on home soil. Some of the Test series-bound players are currently participating in the unofficial Test series against the Indian A side to prepare for the much-awaited clash. 

However, promising fast bowler Josh Tongue finds himself in troubled waters after an injury setback forced him to walk off the field on day 3 of the second unofficial Test in Northampton. 

The seamer could bowl only four overs on the penultimate day before making his way back to the English dugout. He was quite expensive with the ball, going wicketless and conceding 27 runs in his four-over spell. 

As reported by Cricket.com, the severity of Josh Tongue's injury has yet to be disclosed, with uncertainty looming over his participation in the Headingley Test. 

Tongue also recorded the most expensive figures among the England Lions bowlers during India-A's first innings. Despite dismantling the India-A tail with valuable wickets of Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj, the right-arm seamer conceded 91 runs in 20.3 overs, registering an economy of 4.44. 

Before the unofficial Tests, Tongue represented England in the one-off Zimbabwe Test, managing two wickets for 121 runs across both innings. 

If Josh Tongue gets sidelined from the first Test against India, England might go with Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Sam Cook as their frontline pacers, with Ben Stokes assisting the trio with his gentle medium pace.