Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped praise on England fast bowler Josh Tongue following his match-winning performance in the Melbourne Test. Ashwin drew from his personal experience of playing alongside Tongue during his county cricket stint in 2017, highlighting the pacer's remarkable comeback from career-threatening injuries.
Ashwin's Nostalgic Praise and England's Team Assessment
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin recalled the time when a young Josh Tongue was grappling with serious fitness issues. "I remember when I played county cricket in 2017 in Worcestershire, Josh Tongue had stress fracture issues," Ashwin revealed. The Indian spinner was impressed with Tongue's ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs, stating he is "able to produce those wicket-taking balls."
Ashwin also analyzed the broader English team composition. He described fellow pacer Brydon Carse as "a bit of an enforcer" and suggested that if the bowling unit can maintain discipline for longer periods, they could form a potent attack. However, he pointed a finger at England's batting approach, cautioning that "the batting must have a bit of a thought. England can’t get themselves ahead and leave the game behind."
Identifying England's Batting Flaws and Spin Void
The seasoned cricketer didn't shy away from critiquing England's recurring problem with the bat. He cited the example of Harry Brook's dismissal in a previous game against India as a moment where the game was "bottled." Ashwin observed a pattern of playing with "brute force without any thought process" during key passages of play, like the one in Perth.
Ashwin believes England has a clear upside if they can rectify their bowling strategies. A significant part of this correction, according to him, is the urgent need to develop a reliable spinner. "They need to start producing a spinner from somewhere to hold an end up," he emphasized, indicating a gap in their bowling arsenal.
Tongue's Dream Performance and Injury Comeback Saga
Josh Tongue's performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) powerfully validated Ashwin's assessment. The England pacer put on a stellar show, finishing the Test with a total of seven wickets. His figures included an excellent five-wicket haul of 5/45 in the first innings, followed by 2/44 in the second, rightly earning him the Player of the Match award.
An emotional Tongue described the achievement as unforgettable. "It’s what dreams are made of. Obviously waking up on Boxing Day, a few nerves but yeah, to get a fifer and get my name on the honours board, it’s a very special feeling," he said after the match.
The journey to this pinnacle, however, was fraught with physical and mental challenges. Tongue admitted he came perilously close to quitting cricket after a devastating 2023, where he suffered a ruptured right pectoral muscle followed by a hamstring injury. "100%. I was in a tough situation with my body and stuff. I was potentially retiring, but I’m glad that I put in the hard work to get myself back playing cricket and now playing for England, it’s all that I’ve always wanted to do," he confessed, marking his MCG fifer as a triumphant reward for perseverance.
