ENGLAND debutant Josh Tongue admits he was "happy with what I did" following his first day in test match cricket on Thursday in the pre-Ashes clash with Ireland at Lord's.
Despite not taking a wicket, Worcestershire pace-bowler Tongue recorded figures of 0-40 from his 13 overs and was perhaps unlucky to not take a wicket on debut.
The 25-year-old was presented with his first cap in front of his family and teammates before the game by James Anderson, something he described as a "special moment".
"It was great, a special day, making my debut at Lord’s in a Test match is just an amazing feeling and it is my first game here as well," he told Sky Sports.
"I have never played here before but I have watched cricket.
"There is no better feeling than Jimmy Anderson giving me my cap and all my family here, my son, my girlfriend, it was just a special moment for us.
"He said very nice words, just to be myself, have no worries and go and enjoy it. I felt a bit of nerves, but once I got through that first over, bowling a maiden is quite nice but as soon as I bowled that first ball I got into my work.
"I started my spell quite well, I was quite unlucky with a few near misses but I was happy with what I did."
Tongue played his part in what was a successful first day for England. Stuart Broad took five wickets as Ireland limped to 172 all-out before the hosts raced to 152/1 at the close, with half-centuries from both openers Zac Crawley (56) and Ben Duckett (60*).
Tongue will get another crack at taking his first England wicket in Ireland's second innings, where he will be hoping he can continue to impress and maybe even shunt himself into thinking for the Ashes later this month.
The Worcestershire Academy product earned plenty of positive reviews after the game having kept his pace up toward the 90mph mark throughout his two bowling spells.
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