Josh Tongue Achieves Rare Ashes Feat with Standout MCG Performance

Josh Tongue etched his name into Ashes history at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, achieving a feat that had eluded generations of England greats. With a five-wicket haul on Boxing Day and seven wickets in the match, Tongue became the first England bowler to be named Player of the Match in an Ashes Test in Australia since Dean Headley in 1998.

The significance of the achievement was not lost on Tongue, who was just 13 months old when Headley claimed match-winning figures against Australia more than two decades ago. “It’s what dreams are made of,” Tongue said after the match.

Tongue’s figures of 5 for 45 were added to the MCG honours board on Friday evening, a moment made more notable by the presence of Jasprit Bumrah’s name nearby. The comparison was fitting: both bowlers release the ball from beyond the perpendicular, creating a natural angle that shapes the ball back into right-handers and tempts batters into false shots.

While Tongue does not yet match Bumrah’s renowned control, his wicket-taking ability has already set him apart. Across his short Test career, Tongue has claimed wickets at a strike rate comparable to the Indian fast bowler, underlining his attacking threat.

After claiming an early wicket down the leg side, Tongue showcased his skill by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne with a pitched-up delivery that induced a drive, before producing a ball that jagged back sharply to bowl Steven Smith. Remarkably, it was the fifth time Tongue had dismissed Smith across formats, including in county cricket, the 2023 Ashes at Lord’s and The Hundred.

Smith acknowledged Tongue’s effectiveness, noting the similarities in release point and angles that made him difficult to face. “He shapes the ball back into you with that angle and draws you into playing,” Smith said. “He’s bowled really nicely every time he’s had the opportunity for England.”

England captain Ben Stokes leaned heavily on Tongue throughout the match, asking him to bowl long spells in both innings. The workload was particularly notable given Tongue’s injury history, which once brought him close to retirement after two failed shoulder operations in 2022. However, Tongue said adrenaline carried him through, while Stokes credited a previous Test against India for giving both player and captain confidence in his durability.

“He’s got those natural attributes that constantly make right-handers feel like they need to play,” Stokes said. “That natural wicket-taking ability is so hard to come by. He’s been phenomenal.”

Tongue’s performance has inevitably raised questions about whether England should have selected him earlier in the series, or used him differently with the new ball. Those debates will follow, but for Tongue, the moment was about vindication after years of physical setbacks.

“I was in a tough situation with my body, potentially retiring,” he said. “I’m glad I put in the hard work to get myself back playing cricket and now playing for England. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

As the light faded at the MCG and England celebrated a rare Ashes win in Australia, Tongue could reflect on two days that confirmed his place among England’s most impactful fast bowlers on the biggest stage.