England suffer blow after Josh Tongue is ruled out ODI series in Australia

By SABC Sport
7th November 2026

England have suffered a blow ahead of their white-ball matches in Australia with the news that fast bowler Josh Tongue has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series with a toe injury.

Tongue was only selected for the ODI leg of the tour, that also includes five T20Is, but will return home to continue his recovery ahead of England Test tour to South Africa in December.

England started their tour Down Under with a victory in a 50-over warm-up game against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday.

The visitors will have been pleased with the workload done by paceman Jofra Archer in the warm-up fixture ahead of the first ODI against Australia on Friday.

"He was good," England head coach Brendon McCullum said afterwards. "I thought he was in good rhythm actually. I think he looked like he was charging in nicely.

"Obviously, swings the ball, he's got skills at the top, in the middle, and at the death. So it was nice for him to get through some overs, get a couple of wickets as well."

England also welcomed back Jacob Bethell after a knee injury that has kept him out since July, but the top-order batter was not risked in the warm-up game.