Ravichandran Ashwin | Ravichandran Ashwin creates history in English County Championship Surrey vs Somerset

London: Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, representing Surrey for the first time in the English County Championship against Somerset, achieved a breakthrough by bowling 24 overs till tea break on the opening day. Ashwin did not impress much during this period but his accurate line-length had trouble scoring runs for the batsmen.

Ashwin the first spinner to do so

He conceded 58 runs in 24 overs with five maidens in the first two sessions and got a breakthrough. Surrey captain and England opener Rory Burns got him bowling from both ends. During this, Ashwin became the first spinner in the last 11 years to start bowling with the new ball in the English county. Earlier in the year 2010, Jeetan Patel had done this.

Ashwin dismisses Lamonby

Ashwin’s only breakthrough so far came in the form of Tom Lamonby (42) at the start of the second session of the day. In view of the lack of practice matches for the Indian players who went to England, Ashwin and the BCCI decided to play in this match. Ashwin’s attempt is to do as many bowling drills as possible without showing too much of his variety.