Worcestershire have received a major boost to their Specsavers County Championship promotion hopes with India star Ravichandran Ashwin available for the finale of the campaign.
Ashwin has not been selected by his country for the forthcoming ODI Series against Australia with India continuing the policy evident versus Sri Lanka in taking another look at sme other spinners.
It means Ashwin is available for County’s remaining two Championship matches against Leicestershire and Durham – both at New Road.
Ashwin has already played in the wins over Gloucestershire – when he took eight wickets – at New Road and Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
A delighted Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes said: “It’s really good to have a player of Ashwin’s outstanding quality available for the last two games.
“When we initially signed him, it was with a view to him playing all four games but changes in the Future Tours programme meant Australia’s white ball games with India were brought forward.
“But India have decided not to select him which was also the case in Sri Lanka as they looked at some of their other spinners.
“Ashwin has already showed his qualities in the win over Gloucestershire and he is enjoying his time here and has settled him well in the dressing room.
“Wouldn’t it be great for us and him if we can now go on and get promotion but we recognise there is still a lot of hard work to do over the next two games.”
