England Cricket on Tuesday (May 30) night announced the senior men's national side's playing XI for the one-off Test match against Ireland, which is scheduled to be played from June 1 at the iconic Lord's cricket ground. Worcestershire's 25-year-old seamer, Joshua Tongue will make his England debut as the right-arm pacer was named in the Three Lions' playing XI. The youngster earned his maiden call-up after seasoned bowlers James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone and Jofra Archer have been suffering with some sort of injuries.
Tongue has a ton of experience when it comes to First-Class cricket as he has played 47 matches in the red-ball format, picking 162 wickets in the process with the help of seven five-wicket hauls.
In the ongoing County Championship Division Two, Tongue was in decent form while playing for Worcestershire. He bagged 11 wickets, including the prized scalp of Australia's best red-ball batter Steve Smith when Worcestershire played Sussex.
Tongue will a three-headed pace attack with Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts. It would be interesting to see if captain Ben Stokes shares the fast bowling duties with his fellow pacemen. Jack Leach has been included as the only spinner in England's playing XI.
Jonny Bairstow will be seen in an England jersey after a long time. The wicketkeeper-batter was sidelined for months after he sustained a horrendous injury while playing gold last year. The right-handed batter was in tremendous form with the bat before he sustained a brutal injury. It would be interesting to watch how Bairstow fairs in his return.
Ben Duckett and Zal Crawley will open the innings for the Three Lions. Joe Root, who will bat at No.4, will be sandwiched between the aggressive Ollie Pope and Harry Brook.
England playing XI vs Ireland: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue (Debut), Jack Leach.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
'Mahi bhai aapke liye toh kuch bhi': Ravindra Jadeja breaks the internet with emotional post with wife Rivaba and captain MS Dhoni
Watch: A two-and-a-half minute video that captures MS Dhoni's reaction, celebration and tears after Chennai Super Kings win IPL 2023
