England fast bowler Josh Tongue has been confirmed as a late withdrawal from the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, with the 28-year-old returning to the UK for further assessment of a toe injury. The setback comes after Tongue sustained the knock during the recent tri-series in Pakistan, which forced him to sit out the final two matches. Consequently, he will miss the one-day and T20 fixtures that kick off with an ODI in Perth on 13 November, depriving the side of a key pace option in the lead-up to the summer.
England’s white-ball squad takes a blow as the Ashes hero returns home for assessment.
Tongue’s absence is a significant loss given his prolific form this season, having claimed 46 wickets in just 17 matches. His performance was pivotal during the 2025-26 Ashes series, where he recorded 18 wickets in Australia, helping secure a historic victory for the Three Lions. Although he will miss the upcoming white-ball encounters, selectors remain confident in his recovery timeline, with the fast bowler expected to be available for the three-match Test series in South Africa in December. The full squad for that tour is set to be announced next week.
The white-ball tour marks England’s first return to Australia since their dominant Ashes campaign, a period where the team’s momentum was at an all-time high. With Tongue out, attention shifts to the rest of the squad, particularly leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who starred in recent warm-up matches to maintain England’s competitive edge. As the team prepares for the ODI opener in Perth, the focus will be on maintaining the aggressive white-ball identity that defined their recent success, even without one of their leading wicket-takers.
Source: BBC Sport
