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Josh Tongue's Ashes Heroics Earn Praise from Steve Smith After MCG Masterclass

Josh Tongue delivered a match-winning performance at the MCG, taking a five-wicket haul on Boxing Day to become the first England bowler in 27 years to be named Player of the Match in an Ashes Test in Australia. Steve Smith praised Tongue's bowling, comparing his angle and release point to that of Australia's Scott Boland and noting his consistent success against him across formats. England secured a memorable victory, chasing down 175 after Tongue's efforts helped bowl Australia out for 152 in the first innings. The win was built on Tongue's historic spell and a collective bowling effort that exploited a treacherous Melbourne pitch.

Key Points: Josh Tongue's 5-Wicket Haul vs Australia Draws Steve Smith Praise

  • First England bowler to win Ashes POTM in Australia since 1998
  • Dismissed Steve Smith in all five encounters
  • Compared to Scott Boland for angle and release
  • Took England's first-ever Boxing Day 5-wicket haul at MCG
3 min read

"He's done a pretty good job every time he's had the opportunity to play for England": Smith praises Tongue's bowling threat

Steve Smith compares Josh Tongue to Scott Boland after the England bowler's 5/45 at the MCG, marking England's first Boxing Day 5-wicket haul in Australia since 1998.

"He's done a pretty good job every time he's had the opportunity to play for England. - Steve Smith"

Melbourne, December 27

England's Josh Tongue, after his five-wicket haul on Boxing Day and a seven-wicket match return, became the first England bowler to be named Player of the Match in an Ashes Test in Australia since Dean Headley in 1998, as per ESPNcricinfo.

On Friday evening, Tongue saw his name etched onto the honours board in the vast visiting team dressing room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with his figures of 5/45 permanently recorded. Interestingly, his name now sits close to that of Jasprit Bumrah, who featured on the board for his performances in 2018 and 2024.

Tongue's strike rate is impressive, taking a wicket every 39.6 balls, but he has leaked more than four runs per over.

Tongue has now removed Steve Smith every time they have faced off, across formats, as they have encountered each other five times. He first dismissed him in the County Championship three seasons ago, followed by two wickets during the 2023 Ashes Test at Lord's and another in The Hundred while playing for Manchester Originals.

"He bowled nicely," Smith said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

"He gets above the perpendicular, shapes the ball back into you with that angle, and draws you into playing, I suppose - similar to Scotty (Scott) Boland in a way. (They have) similar release points and angles they create. He's a good bowler, bowled really nicely in this game, and he's done a pretty good job every time he's had the opportunity to play for England," he added.

Coming to the match, England won the toss and opted to bowl first. Josh Tongue (5/45) took England's first-ever Boxing Day Test five-wicket haul at MCG, as Australia were skittled out for 152 runs in 45.2 overs, with Michael Neser (35 in 49 balls, with seven fours) and Usman Khawaja (29 in 52 balls, with two fours) being the top scorers for Australia. Neser also shared a half-century stand with Cameron Green (17) before a run out triggered another collapse ending in an all-out.

England were bundled out for 110 in 29.5 overs in their first innings, with Harry Brook (41 in 34 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Gus Atkinson (28 in 35 balls, with three fours and a six). A mix of England's 'Bazball' approach failing yet again and the pitch being absolutely unplayable for batters gave Neser (4/45) and hometown hero Scott Boland (3/30) easy wickets. England trailed by 42 runs.

In their second innings, Australia failed to make an impact, once again pointing to the pitch's venomous and treacherous nature. Only Travis Head (46 in 67 balls, with four boundaries) and Steve Smith (24* in 39 balls, with a four) crossed the 20-run mark as England bundled them out for just 132 runs in 34.3 overs. Aussies led by 174 runs, setting an easy 175 to win for England. Brydon Carse (4/34) and skipper Ben Stokes (3/24) were the top bowlers for England.

In the run chase, England started off well with a half-century stand between Zak Crawley (37 in 48 balls, with three fours and a six) and Ben Duckett (34 in 26 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and a 47-run stand for the third wicket between Crawley and Jacob Bethell (40 in 46 balls, with five fours). Australia did fight back a bit, reducing England from 112/2 to 165/6, but the pair of Harry Brook (18*) and Jamie Smith (3*) guided their team to a memorable win.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in Melbourne, the atmosphere was electric! Tongue's spell was fantastic to watch live. The comparison to Boland is spot on - that high release point causing so much trouble. England finally found a proper Ashes hero down under.
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Aditya G
The article mentions he's leaking over 4 runs an over. That's a concern, yaar. In today's cricket, economy matters as much as wickets. He got a fifer on a spicy pitch, but can he do it on a flat track in India? That's the real test.
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Priya S
Steve Smith praising an opponent who keeps dismissing him shows great sportsmanship. That's the spirit of the game! Also, 175 to win felt like a thriller. Glad England made a match of it, makes the Ashes more interesting for us neutrals!
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Karthik V
First England bowler since 1998 to get POTM in an Ashes Test in Australia? That's a shocking stat! Shows how dominant Australia has been at home. Tongue broke a 25-year drought. Massive achievement, bhai.
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Michael C
The pitch sounded like a nightmare for batters. Bundled out for 110 and 132? Makes Tongue's 5-for and the win a bit context-dependent. Still, you can only play what's in front of you, and he seized the opportunity brilliantly.

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