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Josh Tongue delivered a dominant performance, claiming five wickets as England and Australia battled through a chaotic first day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The England seamer once again found success against Australian star Steve Smith, dismissing him for 9 after an in-swinging delivery crashed through his defenses. This latest dismissal continues a growing trend for Tongue, who has troubled Smith in previous encounters. It was a pivotal moment for England, leaving Australia at 4-51 in a tightly contested match.
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Tongue finished with career-best figures of 5-45, spearheading an English attack that bowled Australia out for a modest total. This performance comes after he previously dismissed Smith in a County Championship match in 2023, and in both innings of the 2023 Ashes Test at Lord’s, as well as during The Hundred competition in the United Kingdom. The quick has quickly become a thorn in Smith’s side.
In Test cricket, Smith has managed just 35 runs from 69 balls against Tongue, averaging a mere 11.67. Despite his success, Tongue downplayed any suggestion of a psychological advantage over the star batter. “He’s obviously an amazing player,” Tongue said to reporters. “I’ve grown up watching him and obviously getting him out is a very special feeling. But to me he’s just another batter that I want to try and get out. It doesn’t really matter who he is. My main goal is to get the batter out the other end.”
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Tongue smashes Smiths’ stumps with seed | 00:56
Tongue explained his approach, stating, “It was a nice ball… I’m looking for the ball to go away naturally, so if it does hit the seam and comes back in, then if I don’t know, then the batter’s probably not going to know.” He emphasized his ability to generate movement as a key strength. “I feel like that’s one of my main attributes as a bowler… when I see the ball coming back in, I know I’m in a good place.”
After missing out on selection for the first two Tests, Tongue has quickly become a vital part of the England attack, taking ten wickets at 17.90 since his recall for the Adelaide Test. He set the tone on day one at the MCG, delivering an eight-over burst that saw him claim the wickets of Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, and Smith. He later completed his five-wicket haul, becoming the first Englishman to achieve the feat in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG since 1998.
“It’s a dream come true,” Tongue said. “I’ve always wanted to play in the Ashes, if it’s home or away, and it obviously feels very special being here at the MCG with all my family in as well, which makes it even better.” He added, “I want to make a difference in the side and take wickets for England, and that’s how we’re going to win games of cricket.”
Josh Tongue takes boxing day 5fer | 02:34
Tongue’s journey to this point hasn’t been without obstacles. He has overcome thoracic outlet syndrome and recently returned from a 15-month layoff due to a pectoral muscle rupture and a torn hamstring. The hard work and dedication to his recovery are now clearly paying off.
“I feel like the hard work that I put in, investing in my body and making sure I’m in a good place physically, I’ve got to give myself a bit of credit,” he said.
England was dismissed for 110, their lowest first-innings total in Australia since 1977, giving the hosts a narrow 42-run lead. Despite the quick turnaround, Tongue dismissed any frustration among the England bowlers. “I don’t mind, it’s how we play our cricket,” he said. “We play a very positive brand of cricket. We try and put pressure on the opposition and take it back to them. Obviously it didn’t work that well today.”
Play resumes on Saturday at 10:30 am AEDT.
