Worcester: Ravichandran Ashwin’s debut in the County Championships turned out to be happy one as the off-spinner picked up a five-wicket haul in the second innings as Worcestershire defeated Gloucestershire by 189 runs in a Division 2 game and fasten their bid for promotion as they moved to the second position in the table.
Not only did the Indian cricketer picked up eight wickets in the match (he scalped three wickets in the first innings), he contributed with the bat as well.
In the first innings, Ashwin scored 36 runs while scoring 21 in the second innings.
Gloucestershire were chasing 401 runs for victory but had to face the wrath of Ashwin on the final day. He had already picked two wickets on the penultimate day of the match before adding three more for 68 runs from 34 overs as his team wrapped up the victory.
Ashwin was given a standing ovation as he left the field with the match ball.
The off-spinner can face India teammate Cheteshwar Pujara when Worcestershire face Nottinghamshire for the final match of the Division 2. Still, Sussex can catch to Worcestershire as they still have a game in hand.
Brief scores: Worcestershire 363 and 295/8d. Gloucestershire 258 and 211 (Roderick 47; Ashwin 5/68).
PTI