England pace bowler Josh Tongue has committed his future to Nottinghamshire by signing a new three-year contract that will see him remain 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 Worcestershire in 2024, has already made a significant impact, claiming 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 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 player renews Trent Bridge contract
Tongue voiced his enthusiasm at extending his association with Nottinghamshire, highlighting his individual progress 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 positive trajectory of his career, with the bowler eager to develop 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 English cricket’s elite.
Head coach Peter Moores welcomed the contract extension, 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 consistently reinforces everyone the possibilities our sport presents,” Moores said. The coach praised 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 reinforces the club’s ambitions to challenge for silverware whilst nurturing players for England.
Remarkable record since the 2024 transfer
Since joining Nottinghamshire from Worcestershire a couple of years back, Tongue has become recognised as one of the county’s premier fast bowlers. His statistics paint a compelling picture of consistent excellence, with 33 wickets taken across seven top-tier games at an average of 22.87. The England international has seamlessly integrated into the Trent Bridge setup, demonstrating the technical prowess and mental resilience required to succeed at 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 dismissals in seven first-class matches following his 2024 arrival
- An average of 22.87 demonstrates consistency and skill with the ball
- Already a 9-cap England Test international with 49 dismissals
- Important contributor to Nottinghamshire 2025 County Championship title
Championship-clinching campaign
Tongue’s first season at Nottinghamshire was transformative for both player and club. Playing in six red-ball matches during the early part of last summer, he took an extraordinary 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-winning performances when pressure peaks. These efforts were crucial to breaking the club’s fifteen-year wait for championship glory, cementing Tongue as a pillar of their bowling unit.
This season has seen Tongue continue where he left off, though he has played in just one match so far. In Nottinghamshire’s emphatic 192-run win over Glamorgan, he took two wickets, further highlighting his importance to the defending champions’ ambitions. The bowler’s capacity to deliver reliably at the highest domestic level, whilst simultaneously preserving his England credentials, makes him an invaluable asset to Peter Moores’ squad as they bid to retain their championship status.
International breakthrough and Ashes performances
Tongue’s emergence on the world stage has been remarkably swift. Making his Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s in 2023, the fast bowler has already established himself as a key part of England’s bowling unit. His record of 49 wickets from nine Tests reflects a level of consistency that undermines his relative inexperience at the elite level. The 28-year-old’s move from county cricket to the Test stage has been smooth, highlighting the technical refinement and psychological resilience needed to perform against the world’s elite batsmen across multiple formats and conditions.
The true gauge of Tongue’s quality came during England’s Ashes tour of Australia last winter, where he established himself as one of the standout performers in an otherwise disappointing campaign. Taking 18 wickets over his three appearances, Tongue played a crucial role in England’s sole victory of the series, the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His maiden Test five-for in that match exemplified his ability to perform under intense pressure, delivering the kind of decisive bowling displays that England sorely needed 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-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 broader playing group, providing younger talents the opportunity to develop by working with and compete alongside elite performers. The coach’s comments reflect Nottinghamshire’s deliberate strategy to preserving their championship-winning status, with Tongue’s presence serving as both a tangible contribution and an inspirational figurehead for the club’s bowling department.
The three-year extension demonstrates a considerable show of faith from both parties, establishing Tongue’s role as a cornerstone of Nottinghamshire’s forthcoming strategy. With the pace bowler demonstrating his ability to balance international obligations with county responsibilities, the club can confidently build their bowling strategy around his presence and established match-winning ability. Moores’ backing indicates that Nottinghamshire plan to compete for additional silverware, 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 development opportunities
- Tongue’s influence on the previous season’s Championship victory demonstrates measurable playing-field contributions to success
- 3-year deal signals shared dedication to continued high performance and future silverware aspirations