The Ashes 2025-26 series continued to deliver high drama and compelling performances, and among the standout talking points from the thrilling fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground was a glowing tribute from former Indian spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin to an England fast bowler who made a decisive impact with the ball.
In a series that has seen batting collapses, remarkable bowling feats, and unforgettable moments, Ashwin — renowned for his deep understanding of bowling craft — singled out Josh Tongue, the England pacer, for his ability to consistently deliver what he described as “wicket-taking balls”. Ashwin’s observations have captured the attention of cricket fans and pundits alike, as his praise underscores a performance that turned heads and influenced the outcome of the match.
Australians’ Long Wait for a Win Ends, but England Bows Out Strongly
The fourth Ashes Test, played over Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was short yet historic. England clinched their first Test victory in Australia in 15 years, a remarkable achievement that broke a long drought on foreign soil. The match concluded in just two days, a rarity in Test cricket and a testament to the ferocity of bowling attacks and the challenging pitch conditions.
Conditions at the MCG were hectic for batters, with movement off the surface and swing in the air creating opportunities for bowlers on both sides. Australia struggled in their first innings before regrouping late, but England’s spirited chase of a modest target showcased nerve and tactical acumen. Alongside key contributions with the bat, it was the pace and penetration of the bowling unit that stayed in match narratives — especially the lethal spell of Josh Tongue.
Josh Tongue: From Near-Retirement to Match Hero
Josh Tongue’s journey to Ashes success has not been a straightforward one. The fast bowler battled through serious injury setbacks earlier in his career and had even contemplated retirement. However, his resilience and commitment paid off handsomely in the Ashes series, where he grabbed a career highlight by earning the Player of the Match award with a formidable bowling performance at the MCG.
Tongue’s performance was critical in both innings — his seam and movement repeatedly tested Australian batters, producing vital breakthroughs and unsettling the opposition. His aggression, consistency, and knack for provoking mistakes under pressure were critical, turning what may have otherwise been a one-sided match into a competitive and memorable contest.
Ashwin, applauding Tongue’s work, highlighted that what he found most impressive was the bowler’s ability to produce deliveries that consistently took wickets. Such praise from one of modern cricket’s sharpest cricketing minds serves as a powerful endorsement of Tongue’s skill and temperament on the biggest stages.
What Ashwin Observed About Tongue’s Bowling
Ashwin’s commentary drew attention to specific qualities in Tongue’s bowling:
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Sustained Threat: Tongue was able to hold a line and length consistently, forcing batters into mistakes rather than relying on isolated bursts of pace or movement.
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Wicket-Taking Ability: Ashwin stressed that the bowler wasn’t just economical, but genuinely capable of producing deliveries that led directly to dismissals, a hallmark of match-winning bowlers.
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Impact Under Pressure: In challenging conditions where both sides struggled to post big totals, Tongue’s bowling was crucial in setting the tone and momentum for England.
Ashwin’s praise isn’t handed out lightly. As a player who mastered spin and tactical warfare on the cricket field, his recognition of a bowler’s talent often signals a true understanding of the subtleties of bowling success in Test cricket.
A Match Full of Bowlers’ Triumphs
The MCG pitch on Boxing Day became a stage dominated by bowlers. Both sides struggled to bat with consistency, and wickets tumbled at regular intervals. This was a classic display of how conditions and discipline can elevate seam and swing bowling to the forefront of Test cricket contests.
The match was notable for its rapid pace — in cricketing terms — where 36 wickets fell in a span that saw the contest wrapped up in just two days. This highlights both the pitch’s responsiveness to skillful bowling and the capacity of bowlers to seize moments and punish even the slightest errors from batsmen.
England’s Bowling Unit: Collective Strength
While Tongue was singled out for individual praise, England’s bowling attack as a whole played an instrumental role in keeping their team competitive throughout the match. Bowlers like Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes also contributed with key strikes and pressure-building spells, demonstrating that England’s bowling strength is not limited to one spearhead alone.
The synergy between these bowlers allowed England to challenge a formidable Australian batting lineup and find success in conditions that seemed to heavily favor bowlers. Such collective effort is what made the MCG Test memorable on both sides of the competition.
Ashwin’s Legacy and Insightful Commentary
Ravichandran Ashwin’s voice remains highly respected in cricketing circles. His deep analysis and tactical insights often reflect years of experience at the highest levels of international cricket. Whether assessing spin or pace, his observations tend to focus not only on raw numbers but on the qualities that make bowlers successful over sustained periods.
Ashwin’s praise of Tongue’s wicket-taking ability reflects his understanding of the subtleties that separate good bowlers from great ones — the ability to consistently produce deliveries that force errors, change match momentum, and create opportunities for dismissals when it matters most.
What This Means for the Future
While England’s win in the fourth Test did not alter the broader outcome of the Ashes series — already decided in Australia’s favor — it invigorated discussion around England’s bowling prospects and the rising influence of players like Tongue on the international stage. With more cricket to come, such performances and the insights of seasoned voices like Ashwin’s will shape how teams assess talent and craft strategy in the global game.
The narrative of a bowler who once faced serious career setbacks emerging as a match-winning figure in one of cricket’s most celebrated series adds a compelling subplot to the Ashes saga. It underscores the unpredictable, dramatic, and deeply competitive essence of international Test cricket.
From Ashwin’s perspective, the ability to produce wicket-taking deliveries consistently remains a defining characteristic of the best bowlers in the sport — one that Josh Tongue exhibited with distinction at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, earning admiration not just from fans, but from one of cricket’s most astute analysts.