Josh Tongue has leapt up England’s pace pecking order in a hurry this year, dismissing Steve Smith on the way. The world’s No.1 batter Marnus Labuschagne can see some parallels with Scott Boland.
Cricket: Marnus Labuschagne has defended Australia’s decision not to have any warm up games in England ahead of the World Test final and Ashes series
They are not alone. When the unheralded paceman made his Test debut for England this week, he found one piece of his kit had been errantly marked ‘Tounge’.
But last month’s scalp of Steve Smith and an impressive burst against Ireland at Lord’s, where he was a surprise selection ahead of veteran Chris Woakes, suggests Tongue will be one to watch in the Ashes.
Smith was trapped lbw by Tongue during a frustrating start to his brief county stint at Sussex. Marnus Labuschagne also had a chance to battle the fast bowler while batting for Glamorgan.
Labuschagne believes the Worcestershire warrior poses a similar threat to Scott Boland, who launched his Test career with an astonishing haul of 6-7 against England at the MCG.
“I saw some footage yesterday of him bowling and I thought there was a lot of Scott Boland about his action,” Labuschagne told reporters in London.
“The way he runs in. The angle he creates at the crease.
“He’s a nice bowler. I played against him earlier this year in Cardiff and he was very good.”
Tongue knocked over Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie while claiming 3-27 on day two of the match that is serving as England’s final Ashes tune-up.
Tongue, Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts and Jack Leach are forming part of a weakened attack at the home of cricket. England’s pace stocks have been stretched by the absence of Jofra Archer (elbow), Jimmy Anderson (groin), Ollie Robinson (ankle) and Olly Stone (hamstring), while express paceman Mark Wood recently celebrated the arrival of baby Lily.
The hosts are upbeat Anderson and Robinson will be fit for the first Test. However, Archer will miss the entire series.
“I never want someone to be out injured. But obviously any England team that doesn’t have Archer in it isn’t as strong, so that’s always a benefit from a playing against perspective,” Labuschagne said.
“I always want to play against the best.”
Labuschagne became the latest member of his side to reject Broad’s quip about the 2021-22 Ashes being “void” because of Covid biosecurity bubbles, noting Australia “dominated that series”.
Robinson claimed 11 wickets at 25.5 that summer, when he found himself bowling off-spin at one stage and was urged to work on his fitness by bowling coach Jon Lewis.
The paceman, who dismissed Labuschagne for one then watched the superstar score a second-innings century during a recent county clash, is tracking well in his recovery and looms as a challenging proposition in his first home Ashes.
“He’s a very skilful bowler, uses his crease really well. Swings it, can seam it and he’s very accurate,” Labuschagne said.
“A high-class bowler and his record speak for itself. Facing him was great fun in the last match we played against Sussex, it’s going to be a good battle.
“I’ve played against Ollie Rob, Josh Tongue and Matt Potts this year. I know what they bowl . it’s a matter of mentally preparing for each one.”
Much has changed for Labuschagne since his introduction to the 2019 Ashes as a concussion substitute for Smith, with the world’s top-ranked batter admitting that “in 2019, I felt like I almost had to prove to people I was good enough”.
“You start getting more comfortable in the side and you understand your role a bit better,” he said.
“Mentally I’m as hungry as ever.”