Josh Tongue etched his name into the history books at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) this week, becoming the first England bowler to be named Player of the Match in an Ashes Test in Australia since Dean Headley in 1998. On Saturday, December 27, 2025, Tongue’s seven-wicket match haul, including a devastating 5/45 on Boxing Day, propelled England to a four-wicket victory. This feat, achieved in front of over 94,000 fans, eluded modern greats like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, signaling a potential changing of the guard for English cricket in the southern hemisphere.
Key Highlights
Historic Feat: Josh Tongue is the first English bowler since 1998 to win Player of the Match in an Australian Ashes Test.
The Smith “Hex”: Tongue dismissed Steve Smith for the fifth time in five cross-format meetings, establishing himself as the veteran’s nemesis.
From Retirement to Records: Just three years ago, Tongue nearly retired due to chronic shoulder injuries that required multiple surgeries.
Mechanical Advantage: Analysts highlighted Tongue’s “beyond perpendicular” release point, similar to Jasprit Bumrah, as the key to his movement.
Drought Broken: The win at the MCG snapped England’s 18-match winless streak in Tests on Australian soil.
The Boxing Day Blitz at the MCG
The fourth Ashes Test of the 2025-26 series was defined by the relentless pace and unique angles of Josh Tongue. On Friday, December 26, after captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl, Tongue dismantled the Australian middle order on a “green-tinged” and “vicious” MCG surface. Within two sessions, he claimed the prized wickets of Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith. According to an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Tongue revealed he was only 13 months old when Dean Headley—the last man to achieve this feat—recorded his famous figures at the same venue. The Worcestershire-born seamer finished the first innings with career-best figures of 5/45, ensuring Australia was skittled for 152 in just 45.2 overs.
Reactions and Global Sentiment
The response to Tongue’s performance has been a mix of awe and tactical debate. On platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), fans of the “Barmy Army” celebrated the emergence of a new hero, with one fan stating, “Tongue has done in two days what we’ve waited fifteen years to see from an English quick in Melbourne.” However, some critics questioned why the 28-year-old was left out of the first two Tests of the series. While the series was already lost prior to the MCG, the general sentiment is one of cautious optimism. Australian media have been quick to compare his “wobble-seam” and “perpendicular release” to local hero Scott Boland, with many noting that Tongue’s ability to make right-handers play at balls they should leave is his greatest weapon.
The Cultural Impact of the “Mop”
Beyond the scoreboard, Josh Tongue’s rise carries significant cultural weight for English cricket. For a decade, the narrative of England’s failure in Australia was tied to a lack of “point of difference” bowlers—those who could extract life from flat, hard decks. Tongue provides that difference. His journey from the brink of retirement in 2022 to the MCG honours board serves as a powerful story of resilience that resonates beyond the sport.
Industry analysts suggest that Tongue’s success validates the “Bazball” era’s willingness to gamble on high-ceiling talent despite injury histories. From a technical standpoint, his action—releasing at 11 o’clock rather than 12—creates a natural “shape” into the batter that is notoriously difficult to scout. As a journalist observing the game, it is clear that Tongue has provided the blueprint for the next generation of English fast bowlers: raw pace is secondary to unique angles and relentless discipline.
A Pattern of Resilience and Previous Slights
This isn’t the first time Tongue has surprised the establishment. In 2023, he made a similarly impactful debut against Ireland at Lord’s before taking key wickets in the home Ashes. However, his career has been plagued by a “freak” pectoral injury and hamstring issues that sidelined him for most of 2024. His performance here mirrors the late-career surges of bowlers like Steve Harmison, who famously found his rhythm in the 2005 series. England’s management will now have to answer why he was not utilized earlier in the tour, especially given his record against top-tier Australian batters.
Conclusion: What Happens Next?
The MCG victory provides a much-needed silver lining to a difficult tour. Moving forward, the focus shifts to the final Test at the SCG in Sydney. While the Ashes remain in Australian hands, Tongue’s emergence has likely secured his place as a leader of the attack for the 2026 home season. Expect Australia to spend the coming days in the nets specifically trying to simulate his unique release point, while England will likely manage his workload carefully to avoid a recurrence of his previous shoulder issues. The “Tongue vs. Smith” rivalry is now officially a marquee matchup in world cricket.
FAQ Section
Who was the last England bowler to win POTM in an Australian Ashes Test? Prior to Josh Tongue in 2025, the last England bowler to receive the Player of the Match award in an Ashes Test in Australia was Dean Headley. He achieved the milestone in December 1998 at the MCG after taking 6/60 in a dramatic fourth-innings victory.
What makes Josh Tongue’s bowling action unique? Tongue releases the ball from “beyond the perpendicular,” meaning his arm points toward 10 or 11 on a clock face. This creates an angle that naturally moves the ball into right-handed batsmen, a trait shared by world-class pacer Jasprit Bumrah, making it harder for batters to judge their off-stump.
How many times has Josh Tongue dismissed Steve Smith? As of the 2025 Boxing Day Test, Josh Tongue has dismissed Steve Smith five times across various formats. This includes meetings in the County Championship, The Hundred, and three separate occasions in Test match cricket, establishing a significant psychological edge over the Australian veteran.
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