- Monday, February 24, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
ACE Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin sounded the warning bell ahead of the high-profile Test series against England starting next month with a top-class show with the ball in a County Championship match at The Oval on Tuesday (13).
Appearing for Surrey, Ashwin took six wickets for 27 runs which helped his team bundle out opponents Somerset for a mere 69 in their second innings. Opening the bowling attack, the spinner produced the show in 15 overs that he bowled. Slow left-arm orthodox Dan Moriarty was the other successful bowler with four for 20. In the first innings, Ashwin had a less impressive outing as he conceded 99 runs in 43 overs with just one scalp.
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Ashwin’s show with the ball helped Surrey return to the game after conceding a 189-run lead to Somerset in the first innings. They were bowled out for 240 in reply to the opponents’ 429 and needed 259 runs to win the game. However, after losing three quick wickets, Surrey settled for a draw and scored 106 for the loss for four wickets after stipulated time. England spinner Jack Leach, who played the game for Somerset, is the other bowler who took a six-wicket-haul in the game.
Earlier, the Indian spinner, who has 413 Test wickets for India, ran through Somerset’s middle order after taking opener Steven Davies followed by captain James Hildreth. His final wicket was tail-ender Ben Green and it left Somerset reeling at 67 for 9.
Ashwin’s performance will be encouraging for his national team which will play a five-Test series starting at Trent Bridge on August 4.
