London: England have suffered a setback ahead of their three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, with fast bowler Josh Tongue ruled out after sustaining an injury to his left big toe.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on November 7 that the 28-year-old would return to the United Kingdom for further medical assessment. The evaluation will establish the extent of the injury and determine the next steps in his recovery.
Tongue had been selected specifically for the ODI leg of England’s white-ball tour of Australia and was not included in the squad for the subsequent five-match T20 International series. His withdrawal is a blow to captain Harry Brook and head coach Brendon McCullum as England prepare to face Australia in challenging conditions.
The first ODI is scheduled for November 13 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide and Hobart. England have not announced a replacement for the injured fast bowler.
Josh Tongue’s injury forces early return to England
Tongue’s left big toe injury has ended his involvement in the ODI assignment before the series could begin. He had travelled to Australia with the England squad but did not feature in the team’s warm-up match against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday.
The ECB said the pacer would head back to the UK for further assessment. It has not provided a specific recovery timeline or confirmed when he could return to competitive cricket.
The latest setback is particularly disappointing for Tongue, who has become an important part of England’s Test bowling plans over the past year. His performances in the longer format had helped him earn opportunities in the limited-overs teams as well.
Reports also indicate that the toe problem had affected him during England’s recent tour of Pakistan, where he played only one match in the ODI tri-series. His absence from the Australia assignment means England will have to adjust their pace-bowling plans without one of their selected seamers.
England’s ODI series against Australia: Full schedule
The three-match ODI series is an important part of England’s preparations for their upcoming international assignments. The team will face Australia in three different cities over six days.
The schedule is as follows:
- First ODI: November 13 – Perth
- Second ODI: November 15 – Adelaide
- Third ODI: November 18 – Hobart
England will then move on to a five-match T20I series against Australia. Tongue was not selected for that leg of the tour as part of England’s broader workload-management arrangements.
The absence of the fast bowler therefore affects only the ODI squad, although the further medical assessment in the UK will also be important in determining his availability for England’s subsequent commitments.
Tongue’s impressive Test form before injury setback
Despite having a relatively short international career, Tongue has established himself as a promising fast-bowling option for England.
The right-arm pacer made a strong impression during the Test series against Pakistan, claiming 19 wickets in three matches. His ability to generate pace and trouble batters made him one of England’s standout performers during that assignment.
His limited-overs opportunities have also increased during 2026. Tongue made his ODI and T20I debuts earlier in the year and featured in matches against Sri Lanka before being selected for the Australia ODI series.
His most recent ODI appearance came during the tri-series in Pakistan. He took three wickets for 79 runs against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, where England’s total of 429 was chased down in a remarkable contest.
Although Tongue’s figures in that match were expensive, his three wickets demonstrated his ability to contribute to the attack. The toe problem and subsequent withdrawal have now interrupted his progress in international white-ball cricket.
Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid impress in warm-up victory
England began their preparations in Australia with a 92-run victory over Western Australia in a 50-over warm-up match in Perth.
The match provided an opportunity for several players to get valuable time in the middle and assess the conditions ahead of the ODI series. Ben Duckett top-scored with 59 as England posted 251 runs before being bowled out.
The bowlers then delivered an impressive performance. Jofra Archer took three wickets for 34 runs, while leg-spinner Adil Rashid claimed four for 35 as Western Australia were dismissed for 159.
Archer’s performance was particularly encouraging after he had been rested for England’s recent ODI tri-series in Pakistan. His return gives the team an experienced pace option, while Rashid’s contribution strengthens the spin attack.
Tongue did not play in the warm-up fixture and was subsequently confirmed as unavailable for the series. England will now look to their remaining seamers, including Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Henry Crocombe and Jamie Overton, to cover the workload.
England’s revised bowling plans ahead of Australia challenge
Tongue’s withdrawal leaves England with fewer pace-bowling options than originally planned. The team will need to decide how to distribute the overs among its remaining fast bowlers, particularly across three matches in a short period.
Archer’s return is a significant positive, given his experience and ability to bowl at different stages of an innings. Atkinson offers another established pace option, while Curran and Overton provide additional seam-bowling flexibility.
The final combination will depend on pitch conditions and the balance England want between pace and spin. Perth is expected to offer a different challenge from Adelaide and Hobart, making the selection of the bowling attack an important consideration.
England’s existing squad includes enough alternatives to avoid an immediate replacement call-up, although the absence of Tongue reduces their options. The management will also have to consider the workload of its fast bowlers across the wider international schedule.
South Africa Test tour adds importance to Tongue’s recovery
Tongue’s injury comes ahead of a busy winter for England, with a three-match Test series against South Africa scheduled for December.
The pacer has become a regular member of England’s Test plans, and his 19-wicket performance against Pakistan underlined his value in the longer format. His recovery will therefore be closely monitored as England prepare for the next stage of their international calendar.
The team is scheduled to play a warm-up fixture in Durban from December 9 to 11 before the first Test begins in Johannesburg on December 17.
For now, Tongue’s priority will be to undergo the necessary assessment in the UK and establish a recovery plan. England will hope the injury is not serious enough to affect his availability for the South Africa assignment.
His absence is an unwanted development before the Australia ODIs, but England’s immediate focus will be on making the most of their available bowling resources and beginning the series strongly on November 13.