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 through to no later than 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 established himself as an important player, taking 33 wickets in seven first-class matches at an outstanding average of 22.87. His displays proved crucial to Nottinghamshire’s first championship win 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 important part of the England Test squad.
England ace extends Trent Bridge stay
Tongue expressed his delight at continuing his partnership with Nottinghamshire, highlighting his individual progress since joining 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 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 importance to the team both on and off the field. “It’s a real boost to have current international players at the club as it continually reminds everyone the opportunities that our game has to offer,” Moores said. The coach praised Tongue’s impact during Nottinghamshire’s Championship-winning campaign, noting that his quality within the bowling group offers assurance for seasons ahead. The retention of an established England international underscores the club’s ambitions to challenge for silverware whilst developing talent for the national team.
Remarkable performance following moving in 2024
Since moving to Nottinghamshire from Worcestershire two years ago, Tongue has established himself as one of the county’s premier fast bowlers. His statistics tell a striking story 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 bowling skill and psychological strength required to perform well in 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 seven first-class matches following his 2024 arrival
- An average of 22.87 demonstrates consistency and skill with the ball
- Already a nine-cap Test international for England with 49 dismissals
- Key contributor to Nottinghamshire’s 2025 County Championship title
Championship-clinching campaign
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 secured their maiden County Championship crown since 2010. His tally comprised three five-wicket hauls, showcasing his capacity for delivering match-winning performances when pressure peaks. These efforts were crucial to breaking the club’s 15-year drought for championship glory, establishing Tongue as a cornerstone of their bowling attack.
This season has seen Tongue maintain his form 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 underlining his significance to the defending champions’ objectives. The bowler’s capacity to deliver consistently at the top domestic level, whilst concurrently maintaining his England credentials, makes him an indispensable asset to Peter Moores’ squad as they seek to retain their championship 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 attack. His tally of 49 wickets from nine Tests demonstrates a level of consistency that contradicts his relative inexperience at the elite level. The 28-year-old’s progression from domestic cricket to the Test arena has been smooth, highlighting the technical excellence and psychological resilience needed to perform against the best batsmen in the world across multiple formats and conditions.
The true gauge of Tongue’s quality came during England’s Ashes tour to Australia last winter, where he established himself as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign. Capturing 18 wickets across his three appearances, Tongue proved instrumental in England’s only win of the series, the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His first Test five-for in that match demonstrated his knack for performing under intense pressure, producing the type of decisive 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 expressed his enthusiasm for Tongue’s commitment, recognising the value of keeping a existing international player within the squad. Moores emphasised that having England Test cricketers on the county circuit offers concrete gains to the broader playing group, providing younger talents the opportunity to learn from and test themselves against elite performers. The coach’s comments underscore Nottinghamshire’s tactical plan to maintaining their championship-winning status, with Tongue’s presence functioning as both a tangible contribution and an motivational leader for the club’s bowling department.
The extended three-year deal represents a substantial expression of confidence from both parties, establishing Tongue’s role as a foundation of Nottinghamshire’s future plans. With the pace bowler showcasing his capacity to juggle international obligations with domestic duties, the club can confidently build their bowling strategy around his presence and proven match-winning capability. Moores’ backing suggests that Nottinghamshire plan to compete for additional silverware, with Tongue’s quality and experience integral to those ambitions during what promises to be a pivotal period for the reigning champions.
- Moores emphasises importance of international players raising squad standards and growth prospects
- Tongue’s influence on last season’s Championship win demonstrates tangible on-field contributions to achievement
- Three-year deal signals mutual commitment to sustained excellence and trophy aspirations