Injury Concerns For England As Pacer Hobbles Off Ahead Of India Tests

The clash between India and England is around 10 days away, and it will be a gruelling five-match Test series, which will go on till the first week of August. However, England have sustained a massive setback ahead of the series as fast bowler Josh Tongue hobbled off the field during the unofficial Test against India A in Northampton on June 8 (Sunday).

Tongue, who has played three Tests since his debut in 2023, bowled just four overs in the second innings as a result. The extent of his injury is yet to be determined, and it is unclear whether he will be available for selection for the first Test in Headingley, starting June 20.

Other than Tongue, England have plenty of fast bowling options for the first Test, including Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jamie Overton and skipper Ben Stokes.

The 27-year-old claimed the wickets of Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj in the first innings of the second unofficial Test to finish with 2/91 in 20.3 overs. He picked just a couple of wickets against Zimbabwe in the four-day Test at Trent Bridge, which saw England win comfortably.

Overall, Tongue has 12 Test wickets to his name, with his career-best of 5/66 coming on his debut against Ireland at Lord's in 2023.