Josh runs his. 'Tongue

Not really! ENG and IND find themselves evenly poised with a day remaining of the first Test at Headingley

England's Josh Tongue made some overly optimistic predictions after an enthralling day four at Headingley. At least, that's my view—but in the context of England's new world order, who am I to question his and their confidence in chasing down the remaining 350 runs?

I note that Tongue received a King's Worcester education after being raised in one of England's unhappiest towns, Redditch. Modesty and decorum are the cornerstones of many private school establishments; with that in mind, England's rookie seamer just might be having a lend of us.

"With our batting lineup, we can chase anything." "We're really confident, If you look at our batting lineup, it's obviously very strong. We play a positive brand of cricket. I think chasing 371 will be a good thing for us to do. I feel like with that batting lineup, we can chase down anything." And there's more. "Their bowlers are going to bowl well in periods of the game. It's just soaking up that pressure and then reapplying it back onto them." I agree with that, Josh. But then, Tongue slips straight back into BS mode, "We'll go for the win; it's just being as positive as we can. I don't see why we can't chase that down."

And then, in defence of the bowlers—of which he is one—we got this. Tongue said of the wicket that, "When they were batting, it flattened out." So the wicket was flatter on day four than day three—he really is having a lend.

And, from India's side, KL Rahul, who displayed a consummate technique for the majority of the 247 balls he faced, said this wasn't the case and that a wearing pitch and an overly aggressive England approach will likely play into the visitor's hands. Rishab Pant agreed. I mean—no one got closer to the pitch than Pant with his commando-roll-paddling!

Rahul went on to say, "There's going to be a result. That's what England have said very openly, and their style of cricket suggests that—this gives us a good opportunity to pick up 10 wickets. It was a very tricky wicket—I spent a lot of time batting out there, and I didn't feel set at all at any stage."

So, who to believe?

Before you decide, I will say this. Josh Tongue bowled an outstanding spell between drinks and lunch. He troubled both Rahul and Pant—having Rahul dropped and narrowly missing Pant on multiple occasions. Such is the ambiguity of cricket that Pant never looked settled, in contrast to Tongue, who looked like a genuine threat—Pant makes a second hundred, and Tongue has to wait for the Indian tail to give him his just rewards.

Josh Tongue looks like a Scott Boland clone to my eye; he is strong, hits a hard length, and holds up a wide-of-the-crease line to right-handers.

2025 has been a barren year to date. Test cricket has offered little. Australia played a short away series with Sri Lanka. India's last series was in Australia. England has been quiet, playing just one Test. Surprisingly, Zimbabwe has featured in four Tests, Pakistan in three, Bangladesh in three, and South Africa in two, one being their historic win at Lords over Australia in the World Test Championship Final.

So, it's been nice to watch a body of cricket that, for me, is becoming increasingly challenging—not due to access, but rather the exercise of watching and staying engaged.

Being English and living in Australia has me paradoxically aligned. I am closer to the Australian scene and then a long way removed from domestic cricket in the UK and, by extension, the England team. I feel that many readers here are critical of my bias toward the Australian team—which I understand. After all, I avoided a proper job for nearly 15 years by playing county cricket. I should so more gratitude.

Perhaps this shift in my attention span has been fuelled by my estranged peers. The Sky commentary team is excellent, in my view, without comparison. Mike Atherton remains as he was when we first met in 1976. Nasser Hussain still rubs most up the wrong way, but his knowledge and acumen mask his irritation. Stuart Broad comes across as the rookie he is. However, Broad provides an invaluable link to the England dressing room and leadership. Ian Ward plays the role of the ringmaster, loud and enthusiastic, but then knows his place in the pecking order. And, for this series, India's Dinesh Karthik will provide the balance needed between Nasser's hometown barracking and the youthful visitors led by Shubman Gill. This late addition is by no means an afterthought; Australia's Mel Jones offers a lot more than a cautionary female voice.

So, with that said, I haven't said much at all! Other than that, I will be tuning in this evening to see if Josh Tongue was having a laugh at us or if KL Rahul was pulling some wool over our peepers, all to the soothing tones of a Manc and an Essex lad!

Best, always.