England name uncapped seamer in XI for Ireland Test
Josh Tongue is set to make his Test debut after being named in England's XI for the four-day Test match against Ireland that begins on June 1.
Pacers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson were ruled out of the Test match but are expected to be fit in time for the first Ashes Test. The injuries opened up a spot for the 25-year-old Tongue, who has 162 first-class wickets under his belt from 47 matches.
Earlier, head coach Brendon McCullum had confirmed that Anderson and Robinson would miss the Test match at Lord's.
"For the first Ashes Test, I think [Anderson and Robinson] should be fit," McCullum told Sky Sports.
"They won't be fit for this one against Ireland. We'll just have to monitor it over this next sort of while, but we've got some great options right throughout the squad."
Aside from Tongue, England have Matthew Potts and Stuart Broad in the pace attack alongside Ben Stokes, whose bowling fitness is unclear still despite McCullum stating that he was confident the skipper would soon return to bowling. Chris Woakes missed out from the XI despite being named in the squad.
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley are expected to open the batting with Ollie Pope, who was recently elevated to vice-captain, set to bat at No.3 above Joe Root, Stokes, Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow.
Jack Leach is the lone spinner in the XI.
England XI for the Ireland Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Jack Leach.