Josh Tongue Joins Lions Squad After Injury Recovery

England fast bowler Josh Tongue, who has claimed 10 wickets across two Test matches, is set to advance his recovery from a 15-month injury absence by joining the Lions on their tour of South Africa. Tongue last played in August 2023, having featured in two Tests during the summer of that year, due to a pectoral injury. His return was further postponed by a hamstring issue incurred at the conclusion of the English season; however, the Nottinghamshire player has now resumed bowling and will link up with the Lions upon their departure next week. The 27-year-old Tongue intends to intensify his training regimen in South Africa, with the potential goal of competing during the Lions’ tour of Australia following Christmas. “I should be hopefully towards my full run by the end of the South Africa tour,” Tongue informed BBC Sport. Tongue’s Test debut occurred against Ireland at Lord’s, followed by an appearance in the Ashes Test versus Australia at the same venue, where he dismissed both Steve Smith and David Warner in both innings. Recognized by England management as a promising talent among a new generation of fast bowlers, he received a two-year central contract in October 2023. During his time away, the Test team’s pace-bowling unit has undergone significant changes. James Anderson and Stuart Broad have retired, and Ollie Robinson has been omitted, making way for players such as Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Olly Stone, and Josh Hull. Tongue commented, “It just shows the opportunities you can get as a young fast bowler.” He further stated, “I know if I’m fit and firing I’m decent bowler. I showed that last year. My main focus now is to get as fit as I can, get back bowling and see what happens.” Tongue’s comeback provides an additional positive for England, which has experienced several fast-bowling injuries. Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmood, both of whom have contended with back issues, are currently bowling on the white-ball tour of West Indies. Hull, who debuted in Tests against Sri Lanka but was absent from the Pakistan tour due to a quad injury, has resumed training and will join the Lions in South Africa. Dillon Pennington, who was part of England squads earlier in the summer before being sidelined since August with a hamstring injury, is also part of the Lions squad. The Lions, under the leadership of new head coach Andrew Flintoff for the first time, will spend nearly a month in South Africa. Their schedule includes white-ball training, joint sessions with the Young Lions squad, and a four-day match against South Africa A. The upcoming tour of Australia in the new year will feature three red-ball matches, serving as preparation for the Ashes series scheduled for the end of 2025. Alongside Tongue, spinners Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed will also be included in the Lions squad to acclimate to Australian playing conditions. Both the England senior men’s and women’s squads are scheduled to depart the UK on Saturday for their respective tours of New Zealand and South Africa.