The injury is a blow to Tongue, 26, who impressed during his two Test appearances at Lord’s in the home summer of 2023, and had been anticipating a white-ball debut in all formats as England look to rebuild their fortunes. after their disappointing World Cup campaign in India.
With his ability to generate awkward bounces at speeds of around 90mph, Tongue’s value to the England set-up was confirmed last month when he was awarded a lucrative two-year central contract with the ECB.
Injury permitting, Tongue’s next chance for England honors could come on the five-Test tour of India, which begins in January. “I think my pace will help in subcontinental conditions and I can also make the ball reverse and my rebounding tactics, which [Ben] “Stokes obviously likes it, it will benefit the team,” he said before the Lions’ trip.
For Potts, the late call-up is a chance to build on his brief experience in England white-ball action, having been selected for a one-off ODI debut against South Africa in 2022 and two further appearances against Ireland just before the World Cup, one of which he was eliminated.
Like Tongue, Potts was also awarded a two-year contract with the ECB for 2023-24, having impressed with his work ethic during his Test summer debut in 2022. He claimed 20 wickets at 28:00 in five appearances that year, before one more. Outstanding appearance against Ireland at Lord’s this June.
