England fast bowler Josh Tongue delivered a destructive bowling performance on the opening day of the test match against Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds, ripping through the opposition top and middle order to claim five wickets. This impactful performance not only placed England in a dominant position but also etched Tongue's name into the record books. With his latest five-wicket haul, Tongue became the very first bowler in international cricket to reach the 50-wicket mark in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
Dominant Display at Headingley and Statistical Breakdown
Operating with precision and pace during the first innings of the Leeds Test, Josh Tongue proved unplayable for the Pakistani batters. He finished his spell with figures of 5 wickets for 46 runs in 9.1 overs. These five dismissals pushed his total tally in the current WTC cycle to 50 wickets, accomplished in just 10 matches. Tongue currently leads the wicket-taking charts for the WTC 2025-27 tournament. He sits ahead of Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who holds second place with 48 wickets, and Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, who occupies third spot with 41 wickets. England skipper Ben Stokes ranks fourth with 39 wickets, while West Indian fast bowler Jayden Seales rounds out the top five with 35 wickets.
Leading Wicket-Takers in WTC 2025-27 Cycle
- Josh Tongue (England): 50* wickets in 10 matches
- Mitchell Starc (Australia): 48 wickets
- Mohammed Siraj (India): 41 wickets
- Ben Stokes (England): 39 wickets
- Jayden Seales (West Indies): 35 wickets
Historical Context for English Fast Bowlers in the WTC
This achievement marks the third time in the ongoing WTC cycle that Josh Tongue has claimed five wickets in a single innings. By reaching the 50-wicket milestone, he became the sixth English bowler in history to accomplish the feat within a single WTC cycle. The elite list of English bowlers who have previously crossed this barrier is led by former fast bowler Stuart Broad, who took 69 wickets in 17 matches during the inaugural 2019-21 edition. Legendary seamer James Anderson captured 58 wickets in the 2021-23 cycle, while Ollie Robinson grabbed 53 wickets in that same edition. In the 2023-25 cycle, Gus Atkinson bagged 52 wickets across 11 matches, and Chris Woakes picked up 51 wickets in 12 appearances.
Most Wickets for England in a Single WTC Cycle
- Stuart Broad: 69 wickets (2019-21)
- James Anderson: 58 wickets (2021-23)
- Ollie Robinson: 53 wickets (2021-23)
- Gus Atkinson: 52 wickets (2023-25)
- Chris Woakes: 51 wickets (2023-25)
- Josh Tongue: 50* wickets (2025-27)
Chasing Stuart Broad and Nathan Lyon's All-Time Benchmark
With several Test matches remaining for England in the 2025-27 cycle, Josh Tongue has ample opportunities to add to his tally and potentially challenge Stuart Broad's record for the highest number of wickets by an English bowler in a single cycle. However, the all-time benchmark across all nations for the most wickets in a single WTC edition belongs to veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon picked up an extraordinary 88 wickets in 20 matches for Australia during the 2021-23 cycle. Given Tongue's current rhythm and England's upcoming fixtures, his progress towards these historic milestones will remain a focal point throughout the tournament.
