Josh Tongue: Joe Root’s 'robust conversation' at Lord’s has reset England standards
On 26 August 2026 Josh Tongue said Joe Root’s “robust conversation” with the England Test squad at Lord’s this week had ended uncertainty about the conduct expected of the players and that the penny had “100%” dropped after Root “made it clear what he expects from us”. Tongue described the meeting as necessary and said the captain had been direct about the standards of being an England cricketer.
Tongue framed the discussion as the culmination of eight months of repeated infringements and frequent embarrassment within the squad, saying: “It was a chat that was needed, a very good chat from Rooty”. He added: “He was very clear on the message of what it’s like to be an England cricketer. We’re very privileged to put on that England shirt and we want to show kids growing up how good it is to play for England in front of thousands of people.” Tongue quoted Root as telling the group that “What has happened in the past is the past, and we need to try to move on from that.”
Tongue recalled the Wellington nightclub incident last November when he had been training with England’s white-ball squad ahead of the Ashes and was with Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell at a venue where Brook was punched by a bouncer on the night before a one-day international. The episode resulted in Brook being fined and given a final warning and Bethell being cautioned for breaching team rules; Tongue, who was not in the ODI squad, was not disciplined.
On accountability and professionalism Tongue said: “We’ve just got to make sure we’re as professional as we can be,” and described his own approach to the Wellington episode: “I’ve just tried to move on from that [Wellington] situation and focus on the cricket. It’s an absolute privilege to play for England and especially walking out and thousands of people watching you.” He added: “I want to put in as many performances as I can for England, and win as many games for England as well.”
Tongue outlined his recent progress across formats, saying: “It’s been crazy. I’ve always wanted to play all three formats for England. I ticked off the Test stuff and started very well. Then making my debut this year in the T20s and the 50-overs, and it seems like yesterday I was here at Lord’s winning the Hundred with Manchester. I feel in a really good place at the minute.” He noted that he has cemented his place in the Test side and has also broken into England’s T20 and ODI squads while winning the Hundred with Manchester Super Giants.
Tongue confirmed England’s new red-ball coach Stephen Fleming has been in contact ahead of taking up his role, saying: “He messaged me the day before the first Test, touching on the Hundred and congratulating me on that, and good luck for the first Test. Then he messaged me after [Tongue took a five-fer] on the first day as well, which was very nice. Obviously he wants to have a look at everyone before coming in for the South Africa series. It’s good to know that he’s been watching.” The article states Fleming is due to report for duty after the Test series against Pakistan.
Babar Azam, who is set to return for Pakistan after missing the opening game with a finger injury, said senior players must take responsibility to halt a run of five defeats in their past six Tests, commenting: “It’s not a burden, I think it’s your responsibility as a senior player. We have to step up, perform, and get the team out of different situations. Last week we were not playing up to the mark, but after that we sat together, discussed our mistakes and then we just forgot those things and looked forward to this match. We just [have to] believe in ourselves and play good cricket.”
Fleming is scheduled to report for duty after the Test series against Pakistan and has indicated he will assess the players before the South Africa series; Tongue says that contact from Fleming and Root’s message have helped refocus the squad as they move on from past incidents.