For 25 years, England’s fast bowlers have flown to Australia with hope, skill, and often a sinking feeling by Boxing Day. The Ashes graveyard is littered with heroic spells that never quite earned individual immortality. From Harmison’s bounce to Anderson and Broad’s relentless excellence, no England bowler had been Player of the Match in an Ashes Test in Australia since Dean Headley in 1998. Then came Josh Tongue at the MCG.
A Release Point That Breaks Habits
The biggest weapon that Tongue has for deceiving batsmen is not simply speed, but his delivery style, in particular, how he angles his bowling action (much like Jasprit Bumrah), so that when he delivers the ball, the direction of the bowler’s arm is slightly before the vertical, between 10 and 11 o’clock as opposed to the standard 12 o’clock position; the slight deviation from this normal direction causes the ball to naturally curve towards right-handed batsmen, causing them to react to balls they would normally let go.
Strike Rates Don’t Lie
Control-wise, Tongue isn’t Bumrah yet. Bumrah goes at under 3 runs per over across 52 Tests; Tongue leaks over 4. But here’s the eye-opener:
- Bumrah strike rate: 42.6 balls per wicket
- Tongue strike rate: 39.6 balls per wicket
Small sample size? Absolutely. But wicket-taking is a rare instinct, and Tongue clearly has it. England doesn’t need another metronome; they need disruption.
Pitching It Up When Others Blinked
While Brydon Carse banged the ball in early, Tongue dared to be fuller. That bravery brought rewards. Marnus Labuschagne was lured into a drive he didn’t need to play. Steven Smith cleaned up by one that jagged back sharply.
That dismissal wasn’t new territory. Tongue is now five out of five against Smith across formats, the County Championship, the Ashes, and even The Hundred. Some bowlers just see certain batters more clearly than others.
Stamina Forged Through Survival
In 2022, Tongue was nearly done. Two failed shoulder operations, retirement whispers, and a body that refused to cooperate. Fast-forward to Melbourne:
- 8 overs in the first innings
- 11 unchanged overs in the second
When Gus Atkinson’s hamstring gave out, Ben Stokes leaned on Tongue without hesitation. The confidence came from The Oval against India months earlier, where Tongue proved he could endure and recover. Adrenaline helps, but belief lasts longer.
Selection Questions That Won’t Go Away
Success always rewrites the past. Should Tongue have played earlier in the tour? Almost certainly. Should he have opened instead of Carse, whose strength lies with the older ball? Possibly.
England will debate those calls endlessly. But those are luxury problems, the kind you only get when someone forces their way into the conversation with wickets.
Josh Tongue’s MCG masterpiece wasn’t a fairytale cameo; it was a technical, tactical statement. England has spent years searching for the perfect Ashes formula in Australia, often confusing control with caution. Tongue offered something different: controlled aggression, angled threat, and relentless intent.
He won’t solve England’s Ashes puzzle alone. But he’s shifted the axis. From nearly retiring to standing alone on an honours board untouched for a quarter-century, Tongue’s journey is a reminder that Test cricket still rewards those who endure, adapt, and dare.
Key Takeaway
Josh Tongue didn’t overpower Australia; he out-angled them.
FAQs
- What made Josh Tongue so effective at the MCG?
His release point created natural movement into right-handers, forcing risky shots.
- Why is his comparison with Bumrah significant?
Both share a rare arm angle that enhances deception and wicket-taking ability.
- How important is this performance for England’s future tours?
It gives England a proven blueprint: disruption over containment in Australia.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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