England pacer Josh Tongue proved to be the side's hero in the Boxing Day Test against Australia. He racked up a total of seven scalps during the Ashes Test in Melbourne and was the team's pick of the bowlers as they won the game by four wickets. He recorded figures of 5/45 and 2/44 in the first and second innings respectively and was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his phenomenal bowling display.
Tongue had considered retirement
Following the match, Tongue opened up on how he was thinking about retiring from cricket after recurring injury setbacks had hampered his career. After making his debut for the Three Lions in 2023, the seamer has only played eight Tests so far. Though Tongue was thinking about leaving the sport for good at one stage, he eventually got "stuck" with it.
“I’m 100 per cent glad I stuck with the sport. I was in a tough situation with my body and stuff," Tongue said at the post-match presentation.
“I was potentially retiring, but I’m glad that 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," he added.
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Tongue's spell during Australia's first innings was especially sensational. He racked up highly important wickets like that of Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith before dismissing tail-enders Michael Neser and Scott Boland. His fiery spell played a key role in England bundling out the hosts for just 152 runs. Tongue termed the feeling of picking up a fifer in Boxing Day Test as "really special".
“It’s what dreams are made of. Obviously, waking up on Boxing Day, there were a few nerves. But to get a ‘fifer’ and get my name on the honours board, it’s a really special feeling," Tongue stated.
England finally end the long wait
Meanwhile, England's stunning victory in Melbourne means that the Ashes now stands at 3-1. Though the visitors have already lost the series as they tasted defeat in the first three matches, they managed to end an almost 15-year drought for a Test win on Australia soil with their triumph at the MCG. This victory will be a major confidence booster for them heading into the fifth and final Test that will be held in Sydney from January 4.