England fast bowler Josh Tongue has pledged his long-term 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, who joined the reigning County Championship holders from Worcestershire in 2024, has already established himself as an important player, taking 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 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 prolongs Trent Bridge stay
Tongue expressed his delight at continuing his partnership 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 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 preserve their position among English cricket’s elite.
Head coach Peter Moores welcomed the contract extension, 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 possibilities our sport presents,” Moores said. The coach praised Tongue’s impact during Nottinghamshire’s Championship-winning campaign, noting that his standard in the bowling attack provides confidence for seasons ahead. The keeping of an experienced England cricketer underscores the club’s aspirations to compete for trophies whilst developing talent for the national team.
Remarkable record following the 2024 transfer
Since moving to 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 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 mental resilience 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
- Average of 22.87 demonstrates skill and consistency with the ball
- Already a 9-cap England Test international with 49 dismissals
- Important contributor to Nottinghamshire 2025 County Championship title
Trophy-winning season
Tongue’s first season at Nottinghamshire was transformative for the player and the club. Playing in six red-ball matches during the early part of last summer, he captured an extraordinary 31 wickets whilst Nottinghamshire claimed their first County Championship title since 2010. His tally comprised three five-wicket performances, demonstrating his capacity for delivering match-deciding displays when the pressure is greatest. These efforts were crucial to breaking the club’s fifteen-year wait for championship success, establishing Tongue as a cornerstone of their bowling unit.
This season has seen Tongue maintain his form where he left off, though he has featured in just one match thus 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 consistently at the highest domestic level, whilst concurrently preserving his England credentials, makes him an indispensable asset to Peter Moores’ squad as they bid to maintain their championship status.
International breakthrough and Ashes performances
Tongue’s rise to prominence on the world stage has been remarkably swift. Upon making his Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s in 2023, the pace bowler has already cemented his place as a key part of England’s bowling attack. His record of 49 wickets from nine Test matches demonstrates a degree of consistency that contradicts his relative inexperience at the elite level. The 28-year-old’s journey from domestic cricket to the Test arena has been seamless, displaying the technical refinement and psychological resilience required to compete against the world’s elite batsmen across multiple formats and conditions.
The true gauge of Tongue’s calibre came during England’s Ashes tour of Australia the previous winter, where he emerged as one of the notable positives in an decidedly disappointing campaign. Taking 18 wickets in his three appearances, Tongue was pivotal in England’s sole victory of the series, the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His debut Test five-wicket performance in that match exemplified his capacity to deliver under intense pressure, delivering the type 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-range strategy
Head coach Peter Moores has expressed his enthusiasm for Tongue’s commitment, recognising the importance of maintaining a current 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 test themselves against elite performers. The coach’s comments reflect Nottinghamshire’s deliberate strategy to sustaining their title-winning position, with Tongue’s presence acting 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 foundation of Nottinghamshire’s future plans. With the fast 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 indicates that Nottinghamshire plan to compete for additional silverware, with Tongue’s calibre and expertise central to those objectives during what promises to be a crucial phase 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 highlights measurable playing-field contributions to success
- Three-year deal reflects shared dedication to continued high performance and trophy aspirations