England red-ball skipper Ben Stokes hailed debutant fast bowler Josh Tongue for his maiden 5-wicket haul in International Cricket against Ireland in iconic Lord Stadium on Saturday, as he bowled exceedingly well to pick up five wickets in front of his home crowd, as the England team has kicked off their preparation for the all-important Ashes 2023.
Speaking to the media, Ben Stokes heaped praise on the debutant youngster for playing the role of third seamer in the side, as he has shown the ability to move the ball in both ways and keep the thing simple in his bowling and reckons that it would be a special feeling for him to 5-wicket haul in Lord’s.
“Tongue came in and performed really well, he’d performed that third seamer role and showed how versatile he can be. Something we’re looking for in a seam bowler. Keep it simple for everyone. Pretty special getting a five-for for England at Lord’s,” Ben Stokes said.
Josh Tongue went wicketless in the first innings against Ireland, as Stuart Broad run through the Ireland batter on Day 1 to bundle the team out for 172 runs before the end of Day 1. The young Tongue performed well in 2nd innings as he got an opportunity in the team in the absence of James Anderson and Mark Wood in the side, as he played his role to perfection being the third seamer in the side.
Gives Us A Little Insight Into What We Might Have To Do Against Australia – Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes lauded the Ireland cricket team for showing tremendous determination to bat well in the 2nd innings and reckons that it is good preparation for the team ahead of the important Ashes series and credited the Ireland performance in the one-off test.
“Thought Ireland came out and showed grit and determination. Gives us a little insight into what we might have to do against Australia. It got flatter as it went on. Trying to take the game on in our own way allowed us to potentially bowl them out without batting again. Ireland had to get a really good score to put us under pressure. Good test and credit to Ireland,” Ben Stokes added.
With his brilliant performance against Ireland, Tongue was named in the England squad for Ashes 2023 as the hosts announced their squad for the first two Tests of the much-anticipated 5-match series. He will be expected to take up the role of third pacer if James Anderson and Mark Wood fail to recover from the injury on time.
England Squad for Ashes 2023: Ben Stokes, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood