Former England cricketer Phil Tufnell has expressed strong confidence in England’s prospects for the next Ashes series in Australia, backing them to win it. He also predicted pacer Josh Tongue to emerge as player of the series.
Appearing on the Stick to Cricket podcast ahead of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney, Tufnell shared his outlook for the 2028-29 competition following Tongue’s remarkable performances in the Melbourne Test and renewed optimism for the England team.
“Four years, Josh Tongue, man of the series, England won the Ashes. Four years. Write it down,” Tufnell said, reflecting his belief about the team’s future. He explained that England are ready to win the Ashes on their next tour of Australia, scheduled for the 2028-29 season, and said what impact Josh Tongue could have on the series.
Tufnell’s comments follow Josh Tongue’s outstanding performance in the recent Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Tongue pitched the winning game, taking five wickets in the first innings and adding two more in the second to finish with seven wickets in the match. His efforts helped England to a four-wicket victory over Australia, saving them from a clean sweep by the hosts.
Tongue became the first English bowler to be named man of the match in an Ashes Test in Australia since Dean Headley in 1998. Although England managed to record a Test win in Australia after almost 15 years, they failed to win the series, continuing their 15-year agony Down Under.
Meanwhile, after his winning spell, Josh Tongue earns surprise selection in England squads for upcoming 2026 FIFA T20 World Cup and the previous tour of Sri Lanka, despite not yet playing a limited-overs match for England. Earlier, Tongue was the leading wicket-taker for a hundred this year, returning 14 wickets in just six matches at an average of 11.07 for Manchester Originals.
– The end
Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
December 31, 2025
