The 25-year-old was a late addition to the England squad following minor injuries to a number of bowlers and admitted he had "no expectation" of earning a spot in the side
Worcestershire quick Josh Tongue will make his Test debut on June 1 after being named in England's XI to face Ireland at Lord's, describing his selection as a "dream come true".
The 25-year-old was a late addition to the England squad following minor injuries to Jimmy Anderson (groin strain) and Ollie Robinson (ankle soreness) and has taken 162 wickets in 47 first-class appearances, 11 of which have come in this season's County Championship.
He previously considered retiring from cricket after struggling with a shoulder nerve issue but returned to action at the backend of the 2022 campaign after 15 months on the sidelines. He went on to earn a surprise callup for England Lions this winter, returning match figures of 8 for 153 in the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Galle.
"It's an amazing feeling. Speechless really, even from when I got the first callup to be in the squad. Now being in the actual team, it's just a dream come true really," said Tongue, whose parents, brother, partner and child will all be at Lord's for the one-off Test.
Tongue was a late addition to England's squad [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]
"I bowled at some of the lads on Monday. I felt like I bowled nicely and obviously I was going in with no expectation to be playing at all and just bowling at high-class players at the nets was good for me. I must have bowled fairly well to get selected."
Reflecting on his injury stuggles, he added: "I'm just proud of myself and how I held in there. I was very close to retiring due to my shoulder. Having two operations, seeing a lot of specialists and I was in a really dark place.
"I don't think there's that many bowlers who have been in the same situation as me. Obviously nearly retiring, then getting called up to the Lions in Sri Lanka in the winter and now obviously getting called into the Test squad. I'm just proud of myself really."
Head coach, Brendon McCullum, added: "He's a big strong lad, that's for sure. He looks like he bowls quite fast and has some real skills
"He is obviously a bit of a rough diamond, he's had some injuries throughout his career and it is nice for a guy like him to be able to have an extended period of time where he has been injury-free this summer to push his case.
"We think he has got something really exciting and hence we brought him into the squad. He looks like he has an immense amount of talent."
Tongue is joined in the bowling attack by Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts and spinner Jack Leach.
Despite his ongoing knee injury and a recent toe injury which restricted him to just two appearances in the IPL, Ben Stokes will captain the side.
Jonny Bairstow has also been named in England's XI [Stu Forster/Getty Images]
Jonny Bairstow, meanwhile, will make his long-awaited return to the international stage after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle while playing golf in between the second and third Tests against South Africa last summer. Coming into the squad in place of Ben Foakes, he is carded to bat at No.7 and keep wicket.
Under-fire opener Zak Crawley will once again partner Ben Duckett at the top of the order, with Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Harry Brook completing the top five.
Though not selected for this match, Chris Woakes is fit. The 34-year-old is yet to play under McCullum, with his most recent Test outing coming during the 1-0 series defeat against West Indies in March 2022.
England XI to face Ireland: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Jack Leach
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.