![Josh Tongue out of the Australia tour [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794062375559_JoshTongueEngland.jpg?type=hq)
Josh Tongue out of the Australia tour [Source: AFP]
In a significant development ahead of England's high-profile white-ball tour of Australia, they will be without one of their strike bowlers, Josh Tongue. The bowler has been ruled out of the full tour, set to commence on November 13.
After last summer's Ashes disappointment and disappointing results across formats in recent months, England are looking for some positivity. Facing a struggling Australia could be the starting point, with three ODIs and five T20Is scheduled over the next 25 days.
Josh Tongue to miss entire Australia tour
On Saturday afternoon, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took to social media to announce an injury to the 28-year-old fast bowler. According to the official announcement, Tongue has injured his toe while preparing for the series.
Tongue was already in Australia, but due to the injury, the right-arm quick is set to return to the UK for further assessments to determine the extent of the injury. Recently, Tongue featured in one of England's matches in the ODI tri-series in Pakistan, picking 3/79.
Tongue's impressive rise
Till mid-2025, Josh Tongue was one of the fringe players in the England squad, across formats. However, he was introduced in the middle of India's tour of England and finished as the second-highest wicket-taker. Later, during the 2025/26 Ashes Down Under, he was again introduced late in the series, but finished with a brilliant 18 scalps in 3 matches, averaging 20.11.
Tongue has proven to be a great hit-the-deck bowling option in Tests, with 76 wickets in 15 matches at a strike rate of just 38.30. Moving ahead, he is looking to make a mark in white-ball cricket, with the World Cup 2027 in sight.
In 5 ODIs, he has picked up 5 wickets, alongside 8 wickets in 5 T20Is, including a 4/28. As things stand, a replacement is yet to be named.
Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Henry Crocombe and Sonny Baker are the current pace attack for the ODIs. Luke Wood and Eddie Jack will join the team in the T20I series.
