England have lost seamer Josh Tongue for the three-match ODI series in Australia because of a big toe injury. He will return to the UK for a full medical assessment, with the series opener in Perth on November 13. This article reviews his recent numbers and what his absence means for England's seam attack.
Josh Tongue Ruled Out: What We Know
England confirmed the news on November 7. The problem is a big left toe issue that Tongue had reportedly carried since the Pakistan tour.
He had been selected only for the ODI leg and sat out the T20Is as a precaution. ESPNcricinfo and the BBC both reported that he is out of the Australia white-ball tour assignment and heading home for assessment.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|
| Player | Josh Tongue (seamer) |
| Injury | Big left toe |
| Series affected | 3 ODIs in Australia |
| Series opener | Perth, November 13 |
| Next step | Return to UK for full assessment |
Tongue's Recent Performance Record
Tongue's selection was built on a strong red-ball base. In three Tests against Pakistan he took 19 wickets, an average of roughly 6.3 wickets per Test.
That output marked him as a reliable new-ball option and supported his case for England's ODI plans.
2026 Snapshot
| Format / Context | Matches | Notable Figure |
|---|
| Tests vs Pakistan | 3 | 19 wickets |
| ODIs vs Sri Lanka (home) | 2 | Debut ODI series |
| ODI tri-series in Pakistan | 1 | 3 for 79 at Rawalpindi |
The Rawalpindi match is a useful reference point. Tongue took 3 for 79, yet Sri Lanka chased down England's total of 429. That run-chase is among the highest seen in recent years, so his figures came in a very high-scoring game.
The toe problem is understood to have first developed during that tri-series.
Impact on England's Seam Attack
England will need to spread Tongue's workload across three matches against a strong Australian side. The remaining seam group offers a reasonable range of options.
England's squad list for the series does not include Tongue, so the available pace pool is now fixed from the 15 named players.
Remaining Seam Options
Sam Curran also offers seam-bowling cover among the all-rounders. Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson provide the spin options.
England's Recent White-Ball Context
Under Harry Brook, England won white-ball series at home against India and Sri Lanka. In the tri-series in Pakistan they were knocked out after losing three games in a row.
The Australia tour is therefore a chance to reset after that result. Losing a seamer before the first ODI adds a selection question for the management.
England Squad for the Australia ODIs
Harry Brook (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid and Joe Root.
What to Watch in Perth
The first point to watch is the XI named for the Perth opener. The balance between pace and spin, and how the seamers share the new-ball and death-overs work, will show how England have adjusted.
Tongue's own assessment in the UK will determine the length of his recovery. His 19 Test wickets this year suggest his absence removes a bowler in good form, but the ODI sample is small at three matches.
White-ball head coach Brendon McCullum and red-ball coach Stephen Fleming are both travelling with the touring party.