Veteran India off-spinner R Ashwin will soon play for Surrey in their County Championship match against Somerset at the Oval in London from Sunday, July 11. He has played for Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire before as well. However, he will join Hashim Amla as the second overseas player for Surrey in their final Group 2 game.
Meanwhile, R Ashwin has been in England alongside the rest of India’s Test squad which had taken part in the inaugural World Test Championship final last month. While India lost the final to Ne Zealand, they will play a five-match Test series against England in August. Currently, players are enjoying some free time with their families.
However, R Ashwin will play only one match for Surrey as he will join the team before the Test series against England, starting August 4. He has been named in Surrey’s 13-man squad for the fixture as well.
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“I am so privileged to be having the badge on. I have heard and wondered what the London counties are all about. Even though it’s only for a game, I am delighted to share this dressing room,” Ashwin said in a video shared by Surrey.
👋 Hi, @ashwinravi99!
"It's my absolute privilege to play for Surrey"
A live stream of Surrey's meeting with Somerset will be available at 11am BST on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Oqf3kTZiwA
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 10, 2021
However, Australia pacer Sean Abbott was about to be Surrey’s second overseas player, alongside Hashim Amla, but a hamstring injury during the match against Gloucestershire ruled him out, Surrey said in a statement. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson has replaced him.
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“Once the extent of Jamieson’s injury was understood, Director of Cricket Alec Stewart began the process of recruiting Ashwin for this fixture. At that stage, two victories in Surrey’s final two group matches would have seen them into Division One. While the draw with Hampshire now makes finishing in the top two very difficult, both the Club and Ashwin have agreed to this one-off arrangement,” it further added.
Surrey’s 13-man squad vs Somerset: Rory Burns (Captain), Hashim Amla, R Ashwin, Jordan Clark, Rikki Clarke, Ben Geddes, Conor McKerr, Daniel Moriarty, Jamie Overton, Ryan Patel, Jamie Smith, Mark Stoneman, Amar Virdi.
