England fast bowler Josh Tongue has committed his future to Nottinghamshire by putting pen to paper on a three-year contract that will keep him at Trent Bridge through to no later than the end of the 2029 season. The 28-year-old cricketer, who joined the reigning County Championship holders from his previous club Worcestershire in 2024, has already made a significant impact, taking 33 wickets in seven first-class outings at an impressive average of 22.87. His performances were instrumental in Nottinghamshire’s first championship win since 2010, with Tongue claiming 31 wickets in six matches last summer, featuring three five-wicket hauls. The deal represents a show of faith in a bowler who has also become a key member of the England Test squad.
England ace renews Trent Bridge tenure
Tongue voiced his enthusiasm at continuing his partnership with Nottinghamshire, highlighting his individual progress since arriving at the club. “I love playing here and I feel my game has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years, so I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” the pace bowler stated. His commitment to the county reflects the positive trajectory of his career, with the bowler keen to build on the foundations laid during his breakthrough season. The new deal signals mutual confidence between player and club as they aim to maintain their status among the top tier of English cricket.
Head coach Peter Moores welcomed the contract renewal, emphasising Tongue’s value to the squad both on and off the field. “It’s a real boost to have current international players at the club as it consistently reinforces everyone the possibilities our sport presents,” Moores said. The coach commended Tongue’s impact during Nottinghamshire’s Championship-winning campaign, noting that his standard in the bowling attack provides confidence for future seasons. The retention of an established England international reinforces the club’s aspirations to compete for trophies whilst developing talent for the national team.
Remarkable record following 2024 move
Since moving to Nottinghamshire from Worcestershire two years ago, Tongue has become recognised as one of the county’s leading pace bowlers. His statistics paint a compelling picture of consistent excellence, with 33 wickets accumulated across seven first-class matches at an average of 22.87. The England international has seamlessly integrated into the Trent Bridge setup, showcasing the technical prowess and psychological strength required to succeed at the highest level of domestic cricket. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with selectors acknowledging his credentials as a vital component of England’s Test bowling attack.
- 33 dismissals in 7 first-class matches following his 2024 arrival
- Average of 22.87 showcases skill and consistency with the ball
- Already a nine-cap England Test international with 49 wickets
- Key contributor to Nottinghamshire 2025 County Championship crown
Trophy-winning season
Tongue’s first season at Nottinghamshire was transformative for both player and club. Featuring in six red-ball matches in the early stages of last summer, he took an extraordinary 31 wickets whilst Nottinghamshire secured their first County Championship title since 2010. His tally comprised three five-wicket performances, demonstrating his capacity for delivering match-deciding displays when the pressure is greatest. These contributions proved instrumental in ending the club’s 15-year drought for championship glory, cementing Tongue as a cornerstone of their bowling attack.
This season has witnessed Tongue continue where he left off, though he has played in just one match so far. In Nottinghamshire’s commanding 192-run victory over Glamorgan, he claimed two wickets, further highlighting his significance to the reigning champions’ objectives. The bowler’s capacity to deliver reliably at the highest domestic level, whilst concurrently preserving his England credentials, makes him an indispensable asset to Peter Moores’ squad as they seek to maintain their championship status.
International success and Ashes heroics
Tongue’s rise to prominence on the world stage has been strikingly quick. Making his Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s in 2023, the pace bowler has already cemented his place as a cornerstone of England’s bowling unit. His tally of 49 wickets from nine Tests reflects a level of consistency that belies his relative inexperience at the highest level. The 28-year-old’s move from domestic cricket to the Test stage has been seamless, displaying the technical refinement and psychological resilience required to compete against the best batsmen in the world in various formats and different conditions.
The true gauge of Tongue’s standard came during England’s Ashes tour of Australia last winter, where he established himself as one of the notable positives in an otherwise disappointing campaign. Taking 18 wickets over his three appearances, Tongue proved instrumental in England’s singular triumph of the series, the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His maiden Test five-for in that match demonstrated his capacity to deliver under considerable pressure, producing the calibre of decisive bowling displays that England urgently required during their 4-1 series loss.
| Competition | Performance |
|---|---|
| Test debut (Ireland, 2023) | Established international credentials |
| Ashes series (Australia, 2025-26) | 18 wickets in three matches, including maiden five-wicket haul |
| Boxing Day Test (MCG) | First five-wicket haul; England’s only series victory |
| Career record (nine Tests) | 49 wickets at international level |
Moores backs long-range strategy
Head coach Peter Moores has demonstrated his keen support of Tongue’s commitment, appreciating the value of maintaining a existing international player within the squad. Moores stressed that having England Test cricketers on the county circuit provides tangible benefits to the overall team, providing younger talents the opportunity to learn from and test themselves against elite performers. The coach’s comments underscore Nottinghamshire’s tactical plan to sustaining their championship-winning status, with Tongue’s presence functioning as both a tangible contribution and an inspirational figurehead for the club’s bowling department.
The three-year extension demonstrates a substantial expression of confidence from both sides, establishing Tongue’s role as a cornerstone of Nottinghamshire’s forthcoming strategy. With the pace bowler demonstrating his ability to balance international commitments with domestic duties, the club can securely construct their bowling approach around his presence and proven match-winning capability. Moores’ backing indicates that Nottinghamshire intend to challenge for additional silverware, with Tongue’s calibre and expertise central to those ambitions during what looks set to be a pivotal period for the defending champions.
- Moores emphasises the value of international players raising squad standards and development opportunities
- Tongue’s influence on the previous season’s Championship win demonstrates measurable playing-field contributions to success
- Three-year deal signals shared dedication to sustained excellence and future silverware aspirations