England have added Worcestershire seamer Josh Tongue to their squad for next month’s Test against Ireland, following a spate of fast-bowling injuries.
Ollie Robinson and James Anderson were both named in the initial 15-man squad for that game but neither are expected to play, with focus on ensuring the frontline pair are fit for the first Ashes Test against Australia on June 16 following minor ankle and groin injuries.
That leaves Matthew Potts, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood as England’s seam options for the four-day match at Lord’s, but Tongue has now been added to that roster after receiving a first international call-up.
The 25-year-old has been on England’s radar for some time and was picked for the Lions’ tour to Sri Lanka this winter despite only having returned from a 15-month injury lay-off in August last year, a spell during which he considered retirement from the game.
Tongue took eight wickets, including a first innings five-for, in the unofficial Test draw at Galle and earlier this month ended Steve Smith’s first County Championship innings of the summer for Sussex, trapping the Australia batter lbw for 30.
