Ravichandran Ashwin in County Cricket: Ravichandran Ashwin takes 6 wickets as Surrey wrap up Somerset on 69 runs in County Championship

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a stellar performance for Surrey in the English County Championship, taking 6 for 27, and also issued a warning to the England batsmen ahead of the five-Test series. Ashwin’s spell that turned the match saw Surrey bundle out Somerset for just 69 runs in the second innings.

He will join the Indian team in Durham on Thursday and before that he bowled 58 overs for Surrey in which he took 7 for 127 to get some practice. He bowled at good angles while taking over the bowling duties in the first innings while in the second innings he surprised the batsmen of the rival team with his carrom ball.

His scintillating performance with the new Duke ball and four wickets from left-arm spinner Dan Moriarty reduced Somerset to just 69 runs in 29.1 overs as against 429 runs in the first innings. Surrey’s team could only score 240 runs in the first innings and now they have to chase the target of 258 runs.

Ashwin took advantage of the extra bounce he got from the pitch during the second innings. He used his carrom ball and off break wisely.
The Indian contingent will gather in Durham where they will play a three-day warm-up match against the Combined Counties (Selected County XI) from July 20 to 22. If there is a disturbance due to bad weather, it can be even four days.

Ashwin has bowled 58 overs so the Indian management would like to try other bowlers during this match. Players will have to undergo the RT-PCR test again as they enter a biologically safe environment after taking a 20-day break after the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.