England have produced many outstanding fast bowlers over the decades, from the swing of Matthew Hoggard and the bounce of Steve Harmison to the sustained excellence of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Yet victories for England bowlers in Australia have been painfully scarce. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Josh Tongue carved out his own place in that history.
After claiming five wickets on Boxing Day and finishing the match with seven in total, Tongue became the first England bowler in more than 25 years to be named Player of the Match in an Ashes Test on Australian soil. The last to achieve that distinction was Dean Headley in 1998.
A Moment That Connected Two Eras
Tongue was just over a year old when Headley’s spell at the MCG helped England defend a target of 175. Remarkably, that same number resurfaced again when England chased down an identical target to seal their latest win. For Tongue, the coincidence added emotional weight to an already unforgettable performance.
“It’s something you dream about as a kid,” he said, reflecting on seeing his name added to the honours board inside the MCG dressing room. His figures of 5 for 45 now sit alongside some of the game’s most respected names.
A Bowling Action That Creates Doubt
What makes Tongue particularly difficult to face is his release point. Like Jasprit Bumrah, he delivers the ball from beyond the conventional perpendicular angle. That subtle difference means the ball naturally shapes into right-handed batters, often persuading them to play when leaving might have been the safer option.
While Tongue does not yet match Bumrah’s level of control, his wicket-taking ability stands out. His strike rate so far compares favorably with some of the world’s best, highlighting his knack for making breakthroughs even when conditions are challenging.
Key Dismissals That Defined the Match
After an early wicket down the leg side, Tongue’s next breakthroughs showed his true value. He pitched the ball fuller, drew Marnus Labuschagne into an ambitious drive, and later produced a delivery that angled in sharply to remove Steven Smith.
Smith’s dismissal carried extra significance. Across formats, Tongue has now removed him every time they have faced each other, including in county cricket, the Ashes in England, and franchise competition.
Smith acknowledged the threat after the match, noting Tongue’s ability to shape the ball back into batters and force them into difficult decisions.
Trust Earned Through Workload and Resilience
England captain Ben Stokes placed heavy responsibility on Tongue during the Test, asking him to bowl extended spells in both innings. That trust was shaped by previous performances, particularly during a demanding Test earlier in the year when Tongue proved his body could withstand long periods of sustained effort.
This confidence was vital after Gus Atkinson was forced off the field with a hamstring issue. With limited options, Stokes leaned on Tongue, who responded with discipline and control rather than fatigue.
A Career Nearly Lost, Now Rewarded
The achievement carries extra meaning given Tongue’s recent past. Multiple shoulder surgeries had once pushed him close to stepping away from the game entirely. Recovery required patience, restraint, and belief that his body would hold up again at the highest level.
Now, instead of questioning whether he could continue, Tongue is being discussed as a genuine long-term option for England in demanding overseas conditions.
“I was in a difficult place physically and mentally,” he admitted. “But I kept working because playing for England was always the goal.”
A Performance That May Shape Future Decisions
Questions will inevitably follow about whether Tongue should have been selected earlier in the series or used differently with the new ball. Those discussions will take time. What remains clear is that his impact at the MCG has altered how England view their fast-bowling depth.
For two days in Melbourne, Josh Tongue justified years of persistence and resilience. More importantly, he delivered a performance that England will remember whenever conversations turn to rare Ashes success in Australia.
