TONGUE'S ON HIS WAY BACK INTO GROOVE

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.

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Tongue (above) 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 sidelined him between June 2021 and August 2022 which almost brought about an early retirement.

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