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 until at least the end of the 2029 season. The 28-year-old, who joined the reigning County Championship holders from Worcestershire in 2024, has already made a significant impact, taking 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 claiming 31 wickets in six matches last summer, featuring three five-wicket hauls. The deal demonstrates confidence in a bowler who has also become a key member of the England Test squad.
England star extends Trent Bridge tenure
Tongue expressed his delight at extending his association with Nottinghamshire, emphasising his personal development since arriving at the club. “I love playing here and I feel my game has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, so I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” the fast bowler stated. His commitment to the county reflects the upward path of his career, with the bowler keen to build on 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 embraced the contract renewal, emphasising Tongue’s value to the squad both on the pitch and in the dressing room. “It’s a genuine advantage to have established international cricketers at the club as it consistently reinforces everyone the opportunities that our game has to offer,” Moores said. The coach praised Tongue’s influence throughout Nottinghamshire’s Championship-winning campaign, noting that his standard in the bowling attack offers assurance for future seasons. The retention of an established England international underscores the club’s ambitions to challenge for silverware whilst developing talent for the national team.
Impressive performance following the 2024 transfer
Since moving to Nottinghamshire from Worcestershire a couple of years back, 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, demonstrating the bowling skill and psychological strength required to perform well in the highest level of domestic cricket. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with selectors recognising his credentials as a key part of England’s Test bowling attack.
- 33 wickets in seven first-class matches following his 2024 arrival
- An average of 22.87 showcases skill and consistency with the ball
- Already a 9-cap England Test international with 49 dismissals
- Important 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 hauls, demonstrating his ability to deliver match-deciding displays when the pressure is greatest. These contributions were crucial to breaking the club’s 15-year drought for championship success, establishing Tongue as a pillar of their bowling attack.
This season has seen Tongue continue where he left off, though he has played in just one match thus far. In Nottinghamshire’s emphatic 192-run win over Glamorgan, he took two wickets, further underlining his significance to the reigning champions’ objectives. The bowler’s capacity to deliver consistently at the highest domestic level, whilst simultaneously preserving his England credentials, makes him an indispensable asset to Peter Moores’ squad as they seek to retain their title status.
International success and Ashes heroics
Tongue’s emergence on the international stage has been exceptionally rapid. Making his Test debut versus Ireland at Lord’s in 2023, the fast bowler has already established himself as a fixture in England’s bowling unit. His tally of 49 wickets from nine Tests demonstrates a level of consistency that belies his relative inexperience at the highest level. The 28-year-old’s journey from domestic cricket to the Test arena has been smooth, displaying the technical refinement and mental strength needed to perform against the best batsmen in the world across multiple formats and conditions.
The true indication of Tongue’s quality came during England’s Ashes tour to Australia last winter, where he established himself as one of the standout performers in an largely underwhelming campaign. Claiming 18 wickets over his three appearances, Tongue was pivotal in England’s singular triumph of the series, the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His debut Test five-wicket performance in that match exemplified his knack for performing under immense pressure, producing the type of match-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 supports long-term vision
Head coach Peter Moores has voiced his backing for Tongue’s commitment, acknowledging the significance of retaining a existing international player within the squad. Moores stressed that possessing England Test cricketers on the county circuit offers concrete gains to the broader playing group, giving younger talents the chance to develop by working with and compete alongside elite performers. The coach’s comments reflect Nottinghamshire’s strategic approach to sustaining their championship-winning status, with Tongue’s presence functioning as both a valuable resource and an inspirational figurehead for the club’s bowling department.
The extended three-year deal represents a substantial expression of confidence from both sides, cementing Tongue’s role as a cornerstone of Nottinghamshire’s future plans. With the pace bowler demonstrating his capacity to juggle international commitments with county responsibilities, the club can securely construct their bowling strategy around his presence and established match-winning ability. Moores’ backing suggests that Nottinghamshire plan to compete for additional silverware, with Tongue’s quality and experience central to those ambitions during what promises to be a crucial phase for the reigning champions.
- Moores emphasises the value of overseas talent elevating squad standards and growth prospects
- Tongue’s influence on the previous season’s Championship win highlights measurable playing-field contributions to success
- 3-year deal reflects shared dedication to continued high performance and future silverware aspirations