Nottinghamshire pulled off an exhilarating 20-run success over Surrey at The Oval. Josh Tongue’s explosive Test debut with the ball made today’s team victory possible. His five for 100 runs as the match pitched on a dry surface wicket and fluctuated firmly. By taking the last three wickets of the Surrey innings, he ensured Nottinghamshire’s place as firm favorites to take their first championship title since 2010.
Tongue treated the event as an extended training run and demonstrated breathtaking speed and endurance throughout the match. These critical characteristics allowed him to rule over Surrey’s batting hierarchy. His rejection of Ollie Pope was particularly grave. The brutal unpredictability of one delivery completely flummoxed the batsman and sent him tap-dancing toward his doom. This was a showcase of Tongue’s impressive ability to rise to the occasion. That characteristic proved to be the most priceless of all as the second half played out.
Tongue started his stunning display as he had Ryan Patel bowled for starters, having initially been dropped by keeper Kyle Verreynne. Patel’s dismissal came after a tense struggle, with Tongue capitalizing on the pressure to reduce Surrey’s chances of reaching Nottinghamshire’s target.
With each passing over, Tongue made sure that he remained the man in control down on the field. He finally bowled Rory Burns leg-before for 45. Then, with a dramatic match coming to a close, he stuck his final blow to end Surrey’s innings, completing the final wicket needed for victory. Tom Lawes battled bravely for his 33, tucking himself away in the middle overs before opening up. Tongue’s tenacious but very skilful attack was too much for the Surrey batsmen.
Though in truth, Tongue’s spell coincided with a game-changing, counter-attacking innings from the Englishman Dan Lawrence. It was Lawrence’s 50 runs that helped calm the storm and stabilize Surrey’s scoring. Tongue’s unerring quest for wickets ensured Nottinghamshire were always speaking with authority. More than the wicket-taking abilities, he almost intimidated the batsmen with his well-directed and well-placed deliveries. One corker left Pope bruised and discouraged at only 26 runs.
The game’s climax came as Tongue took the scalps of Tom Lawes and Dan Worrall in successive balls. His last over would see him take three important wickets, stealing the game from Newcastle and into the hands of Nottinghamshire’s grasp. In summary Wright’s bowling attack were set up to fail for most of this game. Tongue’s late-game heroics were enough to seal their triumph over a strong Surrey outfit.
Peter Moores, Nottinghamshire’s head coach, was full of praise for Tongue’s performance after the match.
“It was a brilliant game of cricket that both sides went really hard at. It felt like every season comes down to the last half hour, and it was obviously great to come out on the good side of it.” – Peter Moores
Surrey’s coach, Gareth Batty, was sober in his reflection of the contest, identifying places his team had failed and could do better.
“We had periods with both skill-sets where we could’ve been slightly better for longer periods.” – Gareth Batty
The brilliant victory reignited Nottinghamshire’s hopes in the title race. Importantly, it showcased the growing force of their bowling unit, Tongue at the head of an exciting pack. His game-style represented what the team battled through for months to win their first championship in more than ten years.
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