India’s frontline spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is making the most of his break from the India cricket team while it tours Sri Lanka. Ashwin made his debut in County Cricket, Division 2 for Worcestershire against Gloucestershire and picked up his debut wicket on August 29. Ashwin bowled a marathon spell and got his maiden County wicket in the 10th over, luring Gareth Roderick into a shot that hit the ball back to the bowler. Ashwin was successfully able to catch the oncoming ball and took the wicket of Roderick.
Ashwin did not take any more wickets in his first spell. He changed his bowling end and came back running to the crease after just 2 overs. Jack Taylor who scored a century in the first innings was putting pressure on Ashwin and on the other hand, Kieran Noema-Barnett was struggling.
Ashwin in his 25th over cashed in on the opportunity and got Worcestershire a breakthrough once again, helping them mop up the tail quickly. Noema-Barnett stepped forward in an attempt to defend the ball on the front foot but the delivery hit the pad first. Ashwin appealed and the umpire did not hesitate to adjudge the left-hander out. Ashwin took his second wicket in the second spell.
ICYMI India international @ashwinravi99 took 3 wickets on his County Championship debut pic.twitter.com/LQzfMKWnRa
— County Championship (@CountyChamp) August 30, 2017
Ashwin came back to bowl his third spell in search for another wicket. The ball was pretty withered by then and the captain Joe Leach backed Ashwin to take advantage of the old ball. Craig Miles, who was defending the ball and supporting Taylor, became Ashwin’s target.
Ashwin bowled a juicy full toss to Miles, whose eyes lit up as soon as he saw a full delivery. Ashwin flighted it a bit which made Miles flick the ball towards short mid-wicket where he was caught by Ed Barnard. Thus, Ashwin had picked up his third wicket in his third spell.
Ashwin did well with the bat as well in the first innings, scoring 36 runs from 50 balls batting at No.6 position. The 30-year-old scored 4 fours and 1 six in his innings.
