MALVERN'S  Josh Tongue is set to make his Ashes debut.

The former Barnard's Green bowler will take to the field in England's second Test against Australia at Lord's.

However, his call-up has come as quite a surprise to many, who had expected to see the express pace of Mark Wood feature instead.

Seamers Matthew Potts and Chris Woakes were also overlooked.

READ MORE: Josh Tongue selected for second Ashes Test

Captain Ben Stokes has backed the decision though, and is excited to see what Tongue can bring to the team.

He said: “We needed to get to Lord’s first and see what conditions we were faced with.

“We wanted to play Mark Wood but we felt while he could definitely start the game, we felt an extra week of build-up and loading him would give him a better chance to play fully from Headingley onwards.

“We brought Tonguey into the team as a like-for-like with Woody.

"I’m looking forward to seeing Tonguey continue the great start he had against Ireland here. The only thing that’s different is the occasion for him.

“He’s had his first Test match, his debut game, which he’s had huge success from.

"Coming in and being able to use him in a fourth seamer role is something that I’m very much looking forward to him being able to do and I think he’s really looking forward to the challenge as well.”

Tongue comes into the side in place of former Worcestershire teammate Moeen Ali, the only change to the side which was narrowly beaten in the series opener at Edgbaston.

Many pundits and cricket fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts on his inclusion.

The Athletic's Wolverhampton Wanderers reporter, Steve Madeley, said: "As a Worcestershire fan, delighted for Josh Tongue.

"But struggling to see the justification for not picking Woakes, who bats well and has a superb bowling record at Lord’s."

Cricket analyst Dan Weston added: "I’ve long advocated for England to use Root more as their only spinner in likely non-spin-friendly conditions.

"Unsure that Tongue is the right choice though and that tail looks long.

"Also unsure what benefit naming the XI so early has, particularly when it’s a surprising one."

And reporter at The Times, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat, said: "Absence of Moeen Ali at Lord's a shame; his bowling record at Lord's in recent years is far better than at Edgbaston.

"Chris Woakes may also feel a little hard done by --- his record at Lord's is excellent."