Overview
- Tongue became the first England bowler to earn a Player of the Match award in an Ashes Test in Australia since Dean Headley in 1998.
- He took 5 for 45 in the first innings and seven wickets in the match as England beat Australia by four wickets at the MCG.
- England captain Ben Stokes praised his capacity to bowl long spells and his natural wicket‑taking threat to right‑handers.
- Australia captain Steve Smith likened his release and angles to Scott Boland, and R Ashwin said he consistently produces wicket‑taking deliveries.
- Tongue said he had considered retiring after pectoral and hamstring injuries and relished performing before a crowd of about 95,000.