England fast bowler Josh Tongue is optimistic that working with veteran coach Troy Cooley will elevate his game to new heights.
ENGLAND fast bowler Josh Tongue (pix) is optimistic that working with veteran coach Troy Cooley will elevate his game to new heights. Tongue is the latest England paceman to seek guidance from the experienced Australian, who recently rejoined the national team’s coaching staff.
Cooley was the fast-bowling coach for England’s iconic 2005 Ashes-winning team. He has also worked extensively with Australia’s celebrated trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, as well as India’s Jasprit Bumrah.
“I had a little chat with him on the phone the other day, I feel like we’re going to get on really well and he’s going to help me get even better than where I am now,” Tongue said on Friday. The 28-year-old was a standout performer in England’s recent 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia.
Omitted for the first two Tests, Tongue took 18 wickets in the final three matches. He was named player of the match in England’s lone victory at the Melbourne Boxing Day Test, claiming 5-45 in the first innings and seven wickets in total.
“I’ve always wanted to go away on an Ashes (tour) Down Under and to be there for the Boxing Day Test and the New Year’s Test in Sydney as well, it’s what dreams are really made of,” he said. “Doing well at the MCG was the icing on the cake.”
Tongue now has 23 wickets in four Tests against Australia at an impressive average of 22.3. He expressed his desire to build on those performances and become a consistent match-winner for his country.
“I want to bring those moments more. I want to try and make an impact when I play games for England and try and put us in good positions to win games of cricket,” Tongue added.
The bowler also welcomed the decision for head coach Brendon McCullum to retain his position following an ECB review into the Ashes defeat. “I’ve got a lot of good things to say about Baz,” Tongue said.
England begin their home Test season with the first of a three-match series against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
