After eight months of repeated infringements and frequent embarrassment, Joe Root’s “robust conversation” with the England Test squad at Lord’s this week has finally ended any uncertainty about the conduct expected of them, with Josh Tongue saying the penny had “100%” dropped after the Test captain “made it clear what he expects from us”.
“It was a chat that was needed, a very good chat from Rooty” the 28-year-old said. “He was very clear on the message of what it’s like to be an England cricketer. We’re very privileged to put on that England shirt and we want to show kids growing up how good it is to play for England in front of thousands of people. He was honest with us all in the changing room. He said it straight. What has happened in the past is the past, and we need to try to move on from that.”
Last November, Tongue, who was training with England’s white-ball squad in New Zealand ahead of the Ashes, was with Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell at a Wellington nightclub when Brook was punched by a bouncer. The incident, on the night before a one-day international, led to Brook being fined and given a final warning over his conduct and Bethell being cautioned for breaching team rules. Tongue, who was not in the ODI squad, was not disciplined.
“We’ve just got to make sure we’re as professional as we can be,” he said. “Obviously things have happened, we need to try and move on and show all the youngsters growing up wanting to play for England that it’s an amazing place to be. I’ve just tried to move on from that [Wellington] situation and focus on the cricket. It’s an absolute privilege to play for England and especially walking out and thousands of people watching you. I want to put in as many performances as I can for England, and win as many games for England as well.”
Tongue admitted the Wellington incident had forced him to reflect on his own standards, but said he had “tried to forget about that as much as I can and focus on the cricket here, now”. Since then he has cemented his place in the Test side, broken into the T20 and ODI teams, and won the Hundred with Manchester Super Giants. “It’s been crazy,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play all three formats for England. I ticked off the Test stuff and started very well. Then making my debut this year in the T20s and the 50-overs, and it seems like yesterday I was here at Lord’s winning the Hundred with Manchester. I feel in a really good place at the minute.”
Tongue also revealed that Stephen Fleming, England’s new red-ball coach who is due to report for duty after the Test series against Pakistan, is already in regular contact with the players. “He messaged me the day before the first Test, touching on the Hundred and congratulating me on that, and good luck for the first Test,” he said. “Then he messaged me after [Tongue took a five-fer] on the first day as well, which was very nice. Obviously he wants to have a look at everyone before coming in for the South Africa series. It’s good to know that he’s been watching.”
Babar Azam, who is set to return for Pakistan after missing the opening game with a finger injury, said his side’s senior players have to impose themselves if they are to end a run of five defeats in their past six Tests. “It’s not a burden, I think it’s your responsibility as a senior player,” he said. “We have to step up, perform, and get the team out of different situations. Last week we were not playing up to the mark, but after that we sat together, discussed our mistakes and then we just forgot those things and looked forward to this match. We just [have to] believe in ourselves and play good cricket.”
