England have suffered a setback ahead of their three-match ODI series against Australia, with fast bowler Josh Tongue ruled out due to a toe injury. The right-arm pacer will return to the United Kingdom for further assessment, leaving England without one of their promising fast-bowling options for the upcoming limited-overs assignment.
Tongue, who was not included in England’s plans for the five-match T20I series as he prepares for the team’s upcoming Test tour of South Africa, has reportedly been carrying a problem with his left big toe since the recent tour of Pakistan. The injury also restricted his participation in the tri-series, where he featured in just one of England’s four matches.
The 28-year-old’s latest setback comes after an interrupted run in Pakistan, where the toe problem limited his involvement. He will now undergo further medical assessment in the UK to determine the extent of the injury and his recovery timeline.
A regular feature of England’s Test side over the past 12 months, Tongue has emerged as an important part of the country’s fast-bowling plans. He made his ODI and T20I debuts earlier this year and has been viewed as one of England’s promising pace options alongside Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Sonny Baker.
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England have already made a winning start to their tour of Australia, beating their opponents in a 50-over warm-up match in Perth on Saturday. The three-match ODI series is scheduled to begin next Friday, followed by a five-match T20I series.
Tongue’s absence will be a concern as England look to manage their fast-bowling resources across a demanding winter schedule. With the pacer not part of the limited-overs plans in the first place, the immediate focus will be on assessing his fitness ahead of the upcoming Test commitments.
England are scheduled to play a three-Test series in South Africa after their assignments in Australia. The team will have a warm-up match in Durban from December 9 to 11 before the opening Test gets underway in Johannesburg on December 17.
