England likely to start home summer without Josh Tongue as plans to replace retiring James Anderson stumble

England cricket team will face amajorobstacle in replacing retiring James Anderson after being dealt a blow on Friday (May 17). Englandare likely tobe without star pacer Josh Tongueas he continues to recover from a long-term injuryissue, according to a statement.

The pectoral injury will keep the English pacer away from action with no time scale on his return, withBrendonMcCullum’sside already set to be without Anderson after theLord’sTest against the West Indieswhichstarts on July 10.

Tongue unlikely to play against West Indies

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"Josh has had a setback to his original injury. There is no timescale on whenhe'llreturn to action,"the England & Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.

Tonguemade his debutfor England last year before the home Ashes when BenStokes’side beat Ireland in a historic one-off contest at Lords.

Interestingly, bothofTongue’sTest matches havebeen playedatLord’swithhis second contest in the red-ball format coming against Australia in the Ashes.

In his two Test matches for the side, he has scalped10wickets with a best of 66/5.

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He has a proven track record with Worcestershire in the First Class circuit with 177 wickets in 50 matches.

His injury could also force him to sit out of TheHundredwhere he represents the Manchester Originals.

The last 12 months have seenmajorrevolutions in England's pace bowling unit after Stuart Broad announced his Test retirement.

Broad hung his boots after the home Ashes last yearleavingbig shoes to fill.

England have enjoyed a stellar run of form under Brendon McCullum ever since he took charge of the side in June 2022.

They are yet to lose a home Test series under his coaching.

His only series defeat came earlier this year when India got the better of Stokes and company 4-1.