Josh Tongue has Steven Smith again in his sights after notable county conflict
At Lord’s this week, he has the prospect to repeat the trick. “It would be great to get Steve Smith out again,” Tongue mentioned on Tuesday, after being named in England’s crew for the second Ashes Test. “I was pretty happy the first time so, if I can do it on a second occasion, that would be good for the team as well and hopefully that will happen.”
“I knew the step up from county cricket to international cricket would be a big one, and playing here at Lord’s was a very special moment for myself, having never played here before,” Tongue mentioned. “To then get five wickets against Ireland on my debut was an incredible feeling and should give me confidence ahead of another chance against Australia.
“There was a little bit of tempo within the wicket towards Ireland so extra of that will be good,” he added. “There is a inexperienced tinge to the pitch in the intervening time which might profit all of our seamers. And if there’s a little bit of nip and motion within the air then I believe our bowling unit can profit from that and use the situations in our favour.”
“But then we used him differently, the place we attacked the Ireland batters with our short-ball plan. Broady, Jimmy and Robbo will inform you it is all the time good having somebody who can bowl at 90mph doing it. Just having that versatility as a bowler this week goes to be very helpful.”
And Tongue believes he is up to the task. “Coming into the facet now for the subsequent Test, I really feel like I can add a bit extra tempo and bounce to the assault – and hopefully I can get just a few wickets for the crew as effectively,” he said. “Whatever Stokesy asks me to do for the crew, I’m right here to do it as finest I can.”