It was a memorable county debut for India’s ace off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He was rested for the Sri Lanka ODI series and did a great job with both bat and ball. Playing for Worcestershire, India’s all-rounder batted well in the first innings scoring 36 runs in 65 balls with 4 fours and 1 six. It was a two division match played at Worcester.
He looked in good touch coming at number 6 adding vital runs and helped Worcestershire post a competitive total of 363 runs. While in the 1st innings, he picked Roderick as his maiden county wicket. It was a good spell of bowling by Ashwin who bowled 29 overs, giving away 94 runs and took 3 wickets. Barnard took 4 wickets which helped them to bowl out Gloucestershire for 258 runs. Worcestershire had a lead of 105 runs.
In the second innings too, Ashwin contributed 28 runs off 35 balls which was important for the team’s cause. Worcestershire declared their innings on 295 for 8 declared. It set a massive target of 401 runs to win for Gloucestershire. On the final day of play, Ashwin showed his magic by claiming 5 wickets for 68 runs in 34 runs at an economy of 2.00 runs per over. It helped Worcestershire win the match by 189 runs.
Ashwin scored 64 runs and picked 8 wickets in his debut county match. It is a great achievement for Ashwin to perform well brilliantly with both bat and ball. This experience will keep him in good stead ahead of the 2018 series against England. The win has helped Worcestershire to second place.
Ashwin finishes with 34-8-68-5
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) August 31, 2017
If Ashwin is not selected in the ODI squad against Australia, then he would play the next match against table toppers Nottinghamshire on 5th September. Ashwin performance in overseas conditions like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England has been poor.
Worcs win by 189 runs and are back in second spot – 19 points ahead of Sussex
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) August 31, 2017
Ashwin has taken a total of 292 wickets in 52 test matches with 5 wickets haul 26 times and 10 wicket hauls in a match only 7 times. Apart from that, he has scored 2035 runs in 52 test matches with 4 centuries and 11 half centuries.