Ashwin joins Pujara in county stint

by Sandeep Shivam Tuesday 15 August 2017

Ravichandran Ashwin (left) and Cheteshwar Pujara are set to be part of Division Two County Championship

©REUTERS

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to make his debut in the County Championship after he was signed by Division Two side Worcestershire for the remainder of the season.

The decision comes after the selectors have decided to rest the 30-year-old for the upcoming limited overs leg against Sri Lanka and give him time to acclimatise to the English conditions with India set to tour the country next year.

Ashwin, who emerged the leading-wicket taker in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka with 17 scalps could make his debut for Worcestershire on 28th August after Australia quick John Hastings was ruled out of the season with a foot injury.

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 223 runs from four games for Nottingamshire before his departure to Sri Lanka is set to resume his stint with the Trent Bridge outfit for the remainder of the season.

"Cheteshwar Pujara and R Ashwin will be playing county cricket. Ashwin is part of other formats too, so it is a blessing in disguise for both of them because we will have a full-fledged tour of five Tests in England next year," chairman of selectors MSK Prasad said in Pallekele.

Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire are currently at the first and second position in the table for Division Two with 184 and 149 points respectively.