Tongue licks up second chance
JOSH Tongue has already ticked off plenty on his bucket list but when it comes to realising boyhood dreams as a teenager there is nothing more useful than a second chance.
The 19-year-old paceman has made a rip-roaring start to life as a first XI player at Worcestershire, marking his County Championship debut in April with a five-wicket haul that helped his side sink Glamorgan.
Tongue, who was born in Redditch and has risen through the ranks before forcing his way into the picture at New Road, is a local boy done good.
It’s only natural that his achievements should be rewarded at international level and last summer, he was due to play against Sri Lanka for the England U19s but a stress fracture in his lower back, which later required surgery, wrecked his involvement.
Second chances do sometimes come around, however, and Tongue is now preparing to finally don an England jersey after being selected for the U19s upcoming Tests against India later this month.
“I was due to play in two Tests and the ODIs last year but I had my back injury and had to get pulled out of that to have an operation,” said the Worcestershire starlet, who is due to feature in two four-day Tests against India, at Chesterfield, on July 23-26, and his home ground in Worcester on July 31- August 3.
“My back went in the warm-up games against the Unicorns and I had to have an operation in September, but thankfully that went well. To play for your country is great, I can’t wait. I just want to get there now and put that England jersey on.
“It’s another dream that I’ve been thinking of and I want to do as well as I can. Playing for England at senior level would be one of my main dreams but I’m not the sort of person to get too far ahead of myself.”
Worcestershire underlined Tongue’s rising stock by tying him down to a new four-year contract on July 3 – less than 12 months after he had penned a three-year deal.
Having been with the club since he was in the shortest of short pants, the teenager is now keen to repay the faith that has been shown in him at New Road after his fruitful breakthrough season so far.
“It’s what I’d been hoping for, really. I want to be loyal to the club, try my best, and try and win trophies for the club as well,” said Tongue.
“I’ve been in the system since I was six years old and I remember, at that age, all I wanted to do was play first-team cricket for Worcester, and obviously, I am now, which is a really good achievement for myself.
“Obviously, I’ve had a good start to the current season but I don’t want to look too far ahead of myself.
“It’s gone really well so far. I’m just trying to take it step by step.”