CHENNAI: On R Ashwin's simplest seek advice from to England for a Test collection, in 2014, the off-spinner was confined to playing simply the final two Tests within the five-match collection. The 31-year-old picked up three wickets from the ones two appearances, either one of which ended in heavy defeats as India have been ultimately humbled 1-Three by way of the hosts.
Having featured in a a hit county stint for Worcestershire final 12 months, though, Ashwin now has intricate wisdom of the way the different pitches in England behave and might be better prepared for what is to come this time round. In four matches for Worcestershire final season, he picked up 20 wickets at a median of 29.15 and in addition averaged 42.80 with the bat in hand as he helped them gain promotion to Division One.
"I know what to expect in England, in terms of weather and pitches. Worcester's home ground is New Road, which is a very difficult track to bowl on. I enjoyed my cricket there. I also bowled a lot with the duke ball during my stint. At this point in time, it's not as difficult as bowling with the SG ball. So I think it should be fine," Ashwin stated right through the launch of his TNPL crew Dindigul Dragons jersey here on Wednesday.
With the Test collection towards England set to commence in the second half of the English summer, the pitches are anticipated to be drier and support reverse swing and spin. While Ashwin sounded a caution in regards to the erratic English climate, he remained confident that India had all the bases covered.
"Whether it is August or September, it never ceases to amaze me how the English weather keeps changing all the time. I don't think that will be a factor. Our fast bowlers have done well in South Africa and we batted pretty well too. The kind of overall unit we have with the five bowlers, we always fancy our chances. Going into the second innings, the spinners are always going to come into play," seen Ashwin, who hinted at a possible return to Worcestershire on the fag finish of the 2018 season.
While Ashwin bowled his justifiable share of leg-breaks and googlies right through the IPL, the TN celebrity reverted to bowling his conventional off-breaks for the one-off Test towards Afghanistan. Asked about how he plans to operate towards England, Ashwin gave away little. "Nothing for me is experimentation. There is logic behind whatever I do. Before I bowled a delivery of leg-spin in IPL, I have done about, probably, a lakh of balls in practice. The thought process alone is experimentation. What I might do tomorrow in a game, I really don't know. As a Test cricketer, I pretty much know what is important in a Test match. If I had to bowl a bunch of leg spinners and googlies, I would have done it even in the Afghanistan Test," he stated.
Before the Tests, though, Ashwin might be playing the primary two-three matches for Dindigul within the TNPL even as his India teammates are busy participating within the limited-overs collection in England. With the 50-over World Cup less than a 12 months away, what does he make of his one-day ambitions?
"It entirely depends on what other people perceive of my cricket. It's definitely not in my control. Like any other cricketer, I want to wear the blue jersey and represent India at the World Cup. That's obviously there deep within. At this stage of my career, physically and mentally, I am just focusing on enjoying cricket. If I land an opportunity I want to be in good frame of mind to take it with both hands."
Having featured in a a hit county stint for Worcestershire final 12 months, though, Ashwin now has intricate wisdom of the way the different pitches in England behave and might be better prepared for what is to come this time round. In four matches for Worcestershire final season, he picked up 20 wickets at a median of 29.15 and in addition averaged 42.80 with the bat in hand as he helped them gain promotion to Division One.
"I know what to expect in England, in terms of weather and pitches. Worcester's home ground is New Road, which is a very difficult track to bowl on. I enjoyed my cricket there. I also bowled a lot with the duke ball during my stint. At this point in time, it's not as difficult as bowling with the SG ball. So I think it should be fine," Ashwin stated right through the launch of his TNPL crew Dindigul Dragons jersey here on Wednesday.
With the Test collection towards England set to commence in the second half of the English summer, the pitches are anticipated to be drier and support reverse swing and spin. While Ashwin sounded a caution in regards to the erratic English climate, he remained confident that India had all the bases covered.
"Whether it is August or September, it never ceases to amaze me how the English weather keeps changing all the time. I don't think that will be a factor. Our fast bowlers have done well in South Africa and we batted pretty well too. The kind of overall unit we have with the five bowlers, we always fancy our chances. Going into the second innings, the spinners are always going to come into play," seen Ashwin, who hinted at a possible return to Worcestershire on the fag finish of the 2018 season.
While Ashwin bowled his justifiable share of leg-breaks and googlies right through the IPL, the TN celebrity reverted to bowling his conventional off-breaks for the one-off Test towards Afghanistan. Asked about how he plans to operate towards England, Ashwin gave away little. "Nothing for me is experimentation. There is logic behind whatever I do. Before I bowled a delivery of leg-spin in IPL, I have done about, probably, a lakh of balls in practice. The thought process alone is experimentation. What I might do tomorrow in a game, I really don't know. As a Test cricketer, I pretty much know what is important in a Test match. If I had to bowl a bunch of leg spinners and googlies, I would have done it even in the Afghanistan Test," he stated.
Before the Tests, though, Ashwin might be playing the primary two-three matches for Dindigul within the TNPL even as his India teammates are busy participating within the limited-overs collection in England. With the 50-over World Cup less than a 12 months away, what does he make of his one-day ambitions?
"It entirely depends on what other people perceive of my cricket. It's definitely not in my control. Like any other cricketer, I want to wear the blue jersey and represent India at the World Cup. That's obviously there deep within. At this stage of my career, physically and mentally, I am just focusing on enjoying cricket. If I land an opportunity I want to be in good frame of mind to take it with both hands."
I know what to expect in England: Ashwin
![I know what to expect in England: Ashwin]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 29, 2018
Rating:
