Tongue is hoping run of injuries licked for new season

JOSH Tongue felt like it was the "end of the world" amid an injury-plagued 2024 that halted a rapid rise with England, but the fast bowler is fit again and raring to go this summer.

- DAVID CHARLESWORTH

Tongue had a heady few weeks in mid-2023 with a five-for on his England debut against Ireland at Lord's, where he also dismissed David Warner and Steve Smith in both innings of a riveting Ashes clash.

He was brought back down to earth with a pectoral injury - unrelated to a shoulder nerve problem that side lined him between June 2021 and August 2022, which almost brought about an early retirement.

Out longer than planned after a set back, Tongue was pencilling in his return only to injure his hamstring, meaning he is yet to play for Notting hamshire, despite signing for them nearly two years ago.