Fast bowler Josh Tongue from England will not be able to travel with the team to the West Indies in December because of an injury he suffered during the England Lions’ current training camp in the United Arab Emirates. For the three-match ODI series that begins in Antigua on December 3, Matthew Potts has been named to the squad to replace him. But the administration has not yet revealed who would take the place of the five Twenty20 Internationals that are set for December 12–21.
Josh Tongue is disappointed about this setback because he played well in his two Test matches this summer.
The 26-year-old had been anticipating his debut in white-ball cricket across all formats for England, who are looking to improve their white-ball setup after a dismal World Cup campaign in which they have only won three of their nine league games. In October, he signed a two-year central contract with the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), highlighting his significance to the team.
Known for his ability to produce unpredictable bounce at speeds approaching ninety miles per hour, Tongue recently told ESPNcricinfo that he was excited to improve his white-ball skills on the upcoming West Indies trip. He has played in 50 first-class matches, 47 of which were for his previous county cricket club, Worcestershire, but just 15 List A and T20 domestic appearances. If the right-arm stays healthy, he could have an opportunity to show off his abilities during the forthcoming five-Test tour of India, which is scheduled to start in January.
“I think my pace will help in subcontinental conditions and I can get the ball to reverse as well. My bouncer tactic, which [Ben] Stokes obviously likes, will benefit the team,” Tongue stated before the Lions itinerary, according to an ESPNcricinfo report.
Matthew Potts sees this as an opportunity to build on his little experience playing in the white-ball format. Prior to the World Cup, the 25-year-old was called up for one ODI match against South Africa in 2022 and took part in two more matches against Ireland, one of which washed out. Like Tongue, he was also rewarded for his outstanding efforts during his first Test summer of 2022 with a two-year contract with the ECB for 2023–2024.
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