Josh Tongue offers glimpse of future success as Nottingham relives past glories

Around 60,000 Nottingham Forest fans are expected to make the trip to London this weekend for their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. Though the club’s ticket allocation is roughly 34,000, it hardly matters — in pilgrimages, reaching the destination isn’t everything; making the journey is what counts.

While Nottingham readies itself for a mass exodus to Wembley, Friday brought another hint of sporting success closer to home. Just a Morgan Gibbs-White cross-field pass away from the City Ground, Nottinghamshire were quietly rekindling their own dreams of glory at Trent Bridge.

It’s been since 2010 that a County Championship trophy last came to Nottingham, but as Nottinghamshire rolled over fellow surprise leaders Sussex for 169, it was easy to hear echoes of Forest's defiant optimism. Last season’s relegation scare now feels distant; real silverware is suddenly a tangible ambition.

Notts still have a long summer ahead, but they sprinted out of the blocks in this match. Their first-innings reply of 164 for 3 was built on a steady unbeaten 67 from captain Haseeb Hameed, supported ably by Jack Haynes. That platform was only made possible by a clinical bowling performance after winning the toss, demolishing Sussex inside 59 overs. On days like these, you’re allowed a little dream about what the season’s end might hold.

Recent Championship-winning blueprints emphasize fast starts before the international season drains teams of their England stars. Nottinghamshire are no different, and Josh Tongue — making his final appearance before the Zimbabwe Test series begins at Trent Bridge — provided the spark. His 5 for 44 showcased the kind of high-quality bowling every title push needs.

Tongue’s blend of raw pace and sharp movement — vividly demonstrated when he shattered Tom Alsop’s left toe with an 85.7mph yorker to leave Sussex reeling at 28 for 4 — was backed up by excellent control. His speed rarely dipped below the mid-eighties, and whether bowling over or around the wicket, he radiated rhythm and menace. Though it’s been two years since his two Test caps, Tongue looks even sharper now. His 14 wickets in Division One this season have come at an impressive average of 20.42.

Backing up the fine opening spells of Brett Hutton (4 for 53) and the unlucky Fergus O’Neill, Tongue’s early five-over spell leaked just 13 runs despite the tempting short boundaries. After a switch of ends, he eventually broke a stubborn stand between Oli Carter and James Coles, using a short ball to set up Coles before removing him with a clever change of pace.

The breakthrough captured why England have been cautious with Tongue — when the ball softened and conventional swing faded, he still found life in the pitch where others couldn’t.

Hutton and Farhan Ahmed chipped in with key wickets, and when Tongue returned for a brief fourth spell, he polished off the innings in a burst: Fynn Hudson-Prentice edged to first slip, Jack Carson drove loosely to second, and Jayden Seales feathered one to the keeper. Sussex folded in 59 overs, undone by Tongue’s second five-for of the season.

"I feel like I’m getting better every time I bowl," Tongue said afterward. Only a month into his Nottinghamshire career after joining in late 2023, his journey back from a pectoral injury and a hamstring tear kept him out all last year. Now, after a strong winter of conditioning with the England Lions, he’s hitting his stride.

"I bowled an eight-over spell today and my pace stayed up. The work over the winter is paying off — I just have to keep building."

Nottinghamshire’s dominance was further highlighted by the struggles of Sussex’s seamers when it was their turn. Ollie Robinson and Seales initially struggled to make an impact without the benefit of morning cloud cover. Their biggest success was the early dismissal of Ben Duckett for nine — Duckett’s first game of the season and, like Tongue, his last before joining up with England.

Duckett’s duel with Robinson, his former Test teammate, was lively but short-lived. He was eventually dismissed inside-edging Robinson behind at the end of the 11th over.

With England’s Test squad set to assemble by May 10, Nottinghamshire — like Forest — will be hoping their dreams are still alive by then.

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