Published: Aug 31, 2017, 09:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 31, 2017, 09:06 PM (IST)
London: Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was in the wickets for Worcestershire on Thursday as he marked his club debut with a thumping English County Championship victory at home to Gloucestershire. Ashwin took eight wickets in the match and five for 68 in the second innings during a 189-run win that saw Midlands club Worcestershire regain second place in the Second Division. Ashwin walked off to a standing ovation from the crowd at New Road, Worcester after Gloucestershire were dismissed for 211. Worcestershire’s sixth County Championship win of the season moved them 19 points clear of Sussex, who have a game in hand, and set them up well for next week’s top-of-the-table match with leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. Ravichandran Ashwin likely to miss Australia limited-overs series due to County cricket commitments
Meanwhile, Ashwin has been smitten by County Cricket, so much so that the off-spinner is ready to skip the Australia series in September-October. Ashwin had a successful start to the County season as he picked 3 wickets and scored 36 against Gloucestershire. Ashwin wants to play the remaining County games as well. Keeping in mind next year’s England tour, Ashwin might be allowed by BCCI to concentrate on County and give the Australia series a miss. “I could be called to play in the Australia series,” Ashwin told ESPNCricinfo. In that case, Ashwin will get to play only one more match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
