Josh Tongue Stars In Ashes, Becomes First England Bowler To Win POTM Down Under In...

Star England pacer Josh Tongue became the first bowler from his country to win a Player of the Match award in an Ashes Test in Australia, 27 years after Dean Headley bagged the same feat back in 1998, with either English batters dominating Down Under or the hosts being the driving force.

Tongue was just 13 months old when Headley, who like him played age-group cricket for Worcestershire, took 6/60 in the fourth innings as Australia fell 12 runs short of their target of 175, the exact total England chased on Saturday, December 27, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Reflecting on the moment, Tongue said, “It is what dreams are made of.”

The star England pacer joined Headley on the honours board in the cavernous away-team dressing rooms at the MCG on Friday

evening, with his 5/45 figures etched in gold.

Notably, the name of India pacer Jasprit Bumrah appeared above Tongue’s (from 2018 and 2024), highlighting a shared trait in their bowling actions that makes them dangerous.

Tongue came into the attack on a hat-trick after bagging the last two Australia wickets on day one, but Jake Weatherald whipped his full delivery for three.

Weatherald needed a decent innings to cement his spot at the top of the order, but he failed again, bowled by England skipper Ben Stokes for five, leaving a ball that nipped back.

Star Australia batter Travis Head was joined by Marnus Labuschagne, but he only made eight, caught by Joe Root in the slips off Tongue.

Head was looking settled before falling for 46, bowled by a perfect ball from Brydon Carse that beat his outside edge. When Usman Khawaja (0) and Alex Carey (4) were dismissed in just nine deliveries, the momentum swung back in England’s favour.

After reaching lunch at 98/6, Cameron Green (19) became the seventh wicket to fall with the score on 119, edging a rising Stokes delivery to Harry Brook at slip.