LONDON: Fast bowler Josh Tongue expressed his delight as he realised his "dream come true" moment when he was named in England's playing XI for the second Test against Australia at Lord's starting on Wednesday.
Tongue, who recently made his Test debut against Ireland earlier this month at Lord's, did not feature in England's narrow two-wicket loss to Australia in the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
However, he has now been given the opportunity to showcase his skills as he replaces off-spinner Moeen Ali in an all-seam attack. Tongue was preferred over the injury-prone express fast bowler Mark Wood.
The 25-year-old Tongue received the news of his selection just before England's practice session on Tuesday, adding to his excitement and making the occasion even more special for him.
"Finding out today in the huddle before training was an amazing feeling," he said.
"I've dreamt as a young kid growing up about playing in an Ashes series so to get the nod now is that dream come true."
Tongue took five wickets on debut against Ireland, his extra speed a point of difference on a docile pitch.
"I knew the step up from county cricket to international cricket would be a big one, and playing here at Lord's was a very special moment for myself having never played here before," he said.
"To then get five wickets against Ireland on my debut was an incredible feeling and should give me confidence ahead of another chance against Australia."
Tongue did spend the first two days of the match at Edgbaston in England's dressing room before leaving to play for county side Worcestershire.
And having heard the roar of the crowd when England's Zak Crawley hit the first ball of that Test for four, Tongue cannot wait to be involved.
"Obviously, that first ball that Zak hit to the boundary, the noise was just unbelievable," he said.
"I'd never heard anything like it and just being in the dressing room for the start of the game was a great environment," added Tongue, who was also grateful for the support he has received from England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
"Right from the first moment I stepped into the dressing room ahead of the Ireland game, I've been made to feel so welcome," he said.
"And coming into the side now for the next Test I feel like I can add a bit more pace and bounce to the attack and hopefully I can get a few wickets for the team as well.
"Whatever Stokesy asks me to do for the team, I'm here to do it as best I can."
(With AFP inputs)
