A TONGUE LASHING

Stokes tells Josh to rev up short stuff for Aussie batsmen

- DEAN WILSON

BEN STOKES has told Josh Tongue to lift the handbrake and get stuck into the Aussie batsmen with his pace.

In the absence of Mark Wood, who is not quite match fit, Stokes has turned to the 25-year-old Worcestershire seamer as part of a four-pronged pace attack to turn this Ashes series on its head.

When it comes to peppering the batters with a bit of short stuff, Tongue is his man.

The second Test gets going at Lord's this morning with the Aussies leading the series.

And Stokes said: "Woody wasn't sure if he'd be able to give what he's known for throughout this Test match.

"Tonguey has been brought in as a like-for-like replacement and I'm looking forward to seeing him continue his great start.