England pace bowler Josh Tongue has committed his future to Nottinghamshire by signing a new three-year contract that will keep him at Trent Bridge until at least the end of the 2029 season. The 28-year-old cricketer, who moved to the defending County Championship holders from Worcestershire in 2024, has already made a significant impact, claiming 33 wickets in seven first-class matches at an outstanding average of 22.87. His displays proved crucial to Nottinghamshire’s maiden title triumph since 2010, with Tongue taking 31 wickets in six matches last summer, including 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 star renews Trent Bridge tenure
Tongue expressed his delight at extending his association with Nottinghamshire, emphasising his personal development since joining 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 upward path of his career, with the bowler eager to develop the foundations laid during his breakout 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 genuine advantage to have current international players at the club as it continually reminds everyone the possibilities our sport presents,” Moores said. The coach commended Tongue’s impact during Nottinghamshire’s title-winning season, noting that his quality within the bowling group offers assurance for future seasons. The retention of an established England international underscores the club’s aspirations to compete for trophies whilst developing talent for the national team.
Strong track record since moving in 2024
Since joining Nottinghamshire from Worcestershire two years ago, Tongue has established himself as one of the county’s premier fast bowlers. His statistics paint a compelling picture of consistent excellence, with 33 wickets accumulated across seven top-tier games at an average of 22.87. The England international has settled smoothly into the Trent Bridge setup, demonstrating the bowling skill and mental resilience required to succeed at the highest level of domestic cricket. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with selectors acknowledging his credentials as a key part of England’s Test bowling attack.
- 33 dismissals in 7 first-class matches since 2024 arrival
- Average of 22.87 demonstrates skill and consistency with the ball
- Already a nine-cap England Test international with 49 dismissals
- Key contributor to Nottinghamshire’s 2025 County Championship title
Trophy-winning season
Tongue’s first season at Nottinghamshire proved transformative for the player and the club. Featuring in six red-ball matches in the early stages of last summer, he took an remarkable 31 wickets whilst Nottinghamshire claimed their first County Championship title since 2010. His tally included three five-wicket performances, demonstrating his ability to deliver match-winning performances when pressure peaks. These efforts 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 maintain his form where he left off, though he has featured in just one match so far. In Nottinghamshire’s emphatic 192-run win over Glamorgan, he claimed two wickets, further highlighting his significance to the defending champions’ objectives. The bowler’s ability to perform reliably at the top domestic level, whilst simultaneously preserving his England credentials, makes him an indispensable asset to Peter Moores’ squad as they seek to maintain their title status.
International breakthrough and Ashes heroics
Tongue’s emergence on the world stage has been strikingly quick. Making his Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s in 2023, the pace bowler has already established himself as a key part of England’s bowling unit. His tally of 49 wickets from nine Test matches showcases a degree of consistency that belies his relative inexperience at the highest level. The 28-year-old’s journey from domestic cricket to the Test stage has been seamless, highlighting the technical refinement and mental strength needed to perform against the best batsmen in the world across multiple formats and conditions.
The true measure of Tongue’s quality came during England’s Ashes tour of Australia last winter, where he proved to be one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign. Claiming 18 wickets across his three appearances, Tongue played a crucial role in England’s only win of the series, the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His maiden Test five-wicket performance in that match exemplified his ability to perform under intense pressure, producing the kind of match-winning bowling displays that England sorely needed during their 4-1 series defeat.
| 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 supports long-term vision
Head coach Peter Moores has demonstrated his keen support of Tongue’s commitment, acknowledging the significance of retaining a current international player within the squad. Moores highlighted that having England Test cricketers on the county circuit offers practical advantages to the wider squad, offering younger talents the chance to learn from and compete alongside elite performers. The coach’s comments demonstrate Nottinghamshire’s strategic approach to sustaining their title-winning position, with Tongue’s presence serving as both a tangible contribution and an influential presence for the club’s bowling department.
The three-year extension represents a substantial expression of confidence from both sides, establishing Tongue’s role as a cornerstone of Nottinghamshire’s future plans. With the pace bowler demonstrating his ability to balance international commitments with domestic duties, the club can securely construct their bowling strategy around his presence and proven match-winning capability. Moores’ backing indicates that Nottinghamshire plan to compete for further honours, with Tongue’s quality and experience central to those ambitions during what promises to be a pivotal period for the defending champions.
- Moores underscores the value of international players raising squad standards and growth prospects
- Tongue’s impact on last season’s Championship win demonstrates measurable playing-field contributions to success
- 3-year deal signals mutual commitment to continued high performance and trophy aspirations