JOSH Tongue will return to the Worcestershire line-up at Leicestershire after being released from the England camp on Thursday.

Tongue, who has not played for the Pears since his move to Nottinghamshire at the end of the season was confirmed, replaced Adam Finch in the side ahead of day two of the County Championship match. 

The 24-year-old has been with England for the entirety of the 2023 Ashes Series to date and made his debut in the second test, taking five wickets in the match against Australia.

But he was rested for the third test and missed out on a place in the fourth, which is currently being played at Old Trafford. As such, England have allowed Tongue to return to his county for the match in Leicestershire. 

It seems harsh on the player he is replacing, Finch, who was in impressive form in the draw with Yorkshire and took two wickets in the opening Leicestershire innings on day one (Wednesday).

But Tongue comes in to play for the Pears for the first time since May in what is set to be one of his last outings for the county before he makes the move to Trent Bridge at the end of the campaign. 

Dillon Pennington will be joining Tongue at Nottinghamshire for the 2024 campaign after also agreeing to a move away from New Road.