In a setback for England’s fast bowling contingent, the team is set to reshuffle its lineup ahead of the white-ball series against the West Indies due to an unfortunate injury to Josh Tongue.
The incident occurred during a training camp with the England Lions in the UAE, sidelining the promising young bowler from both the three-match ODI series and the subsequent five-game T20I series in the Caribbean next month.
Tongue, who has played two Test matches for England, was eyeing his white-ball debut and was eager to showcase his skills, particularly after England’s recent setback in the 50-over World Cup in India. Unfortunately, the injury has dashed his aspirations, and he will have to wait for another opportunity to make an impact in the limited-overs format.
Stepping into Tongue’s shoes for the ODI series is the relatively inexperienced right-armer, Matthew Potts. Potts, who has previously represented England in three ODIs, made his latest appearance against Ireland in Bristol just before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The young bowler now faces the challenge of filling the void left by Tongue and contributing to England’s bowling attack in the Caribbean.
The T20I replacement for Tongue is yet to be announced, adding an element of suspense as the team management considers the options available to maintain the balance and effectiveness of the bowling lineup.
Here are the updated England squads for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies:
ODI Squad:
• Jos Buttler (c)
• Rehan Ahmed
• Gus Atkinson
• Harry Brook
• Brydon Carse
• Zak Crawley
• Sam Curran
• Ben Duckett
• Tom Hartley
• Will Jacks
• Liam Livingstone
• Ollie Pope
• Phil Salt
• Matthew Potts
• John Turner
T20 Squad:
• Jos Buttler (c)
• Rehan Ahmed
• Moeen Ali
• Gus Atkinson
• Harry Brook
• Sam Curran
• Ben Duckett
• Will Jacks
• Liam Livingstone
• Tymal Mills
• Adil Rashid
• Phil Salt
• Reece Topley
• John Turner
• Chris Woakes
As England readies itself for the challenges in the West Indies, the reshuffling of the fast bowling lineup underscores the adaptability and depth of talent within the squad. The upcoming series will not only test the resilience of the team but also provide an opportunity for the new faces to make their mark on the international stage.
