- Incredible story has surfaced during Ashes series
One English cricket fan knew Ashes star Josh Tongue would eventually play at the highest level – and he collected a cool $100,000 after backing him to play for his country.
Tim Piper was astounded by the ability of the bowling all-rounder – at two years old – that he chased a bookmaker willing to take on the bet.
Piper played cricket with Tongue’s father, Phil, at Redditch Cricket Club in the 1990s.
And it was one afternoon when the right-arm medium pace bowler left Piper lost for words.
‘I remember looking at this kid, and he was two and a half at the time, and going yeah, I see there’s potential. I want to see him bowl though,’ Piper said on Kayo Sports’ Ashes broadcast.
‘He started bowling leggies and off spinners, wrong-uns, and I was shaking my head thinking what’s this little kid doing.
England fast bowler Josh Tongue (pictured) helped family friend Tim Piper win $100,000
The betting man (pictured) appeared on Kayo Sports to tell his story from the Adelaide Oval
‘As he’s bowling, he’s laughing because he knows what he’s doing, but I haven’t got a clue,’ he added.
The performance left Piper so convinced he had just seen a future cricket star that he attempted to put a bet on Tongue eventually playing Test cricket for England.
To his disappointment, no betting agency initially entertained the thought.
But years later, a bookmaker took the bet when Tongue was 11.
Piper accepted 500-1 odds that the youngster would go onto play for England.
He then put 100 pounds on a bet slip, and waited patiently.
In June of 2023, Tongue made his Test debut against Ireland, meaning an elated Piper could cash in.
Tim Piper (pictured) predicted Josh Tongue would end up playing Test cricket for England
The fast bowler (pictured) has become an important part of England’s Test squad
The England pace bowler has since played seven Test matches for England.
He has taken 32 wickets at an average of 31.
Tongue is a part of the England XI facing Australia in the third Ashes Test.
Australia lead the series 2-0 and only need a draw in Adelaide to retain the urn.
