Captain ‘on course’ to bowl in first Ashes Test

A week ago, Ben Stokes had never met Josh Tongue. But as the England captain heads into the Ashes series with questions over his own fitness, he fancies an additional fast bowler has been found to augment his attack.

Tongue was already in the 16-man squad for the first two Tests against Australia before completing a maiden five-wicket haul on debut at Lord’s, with England, a team in a hurry, naming the group at lunch on the third and final day against Ireland.

Indeed, it is the attributes and adaptability of the 25-year-old that have caught the eye as much as his figures of five for 66 from 21 overs, Tongue’s angle proving tricky to line up and his speeds clocked in the high 80s throughout the match.

As such, having previously feared he may be down to one