Ravichandran Ashwin will make his debut for Worcestershire in the home Specsavers County Championship clash with Gloucestershire tomorrow – but there is a another new name in the squad alongside the star Indian all-rounder.
Alex Milton, the Seconds keeper-batsman, has been called into the senior squad for the first time by Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes.
Milton has enjoyed a prolific season for Cardiff, scoring 1,000 plus runs, and also made some telling contributions with the bat for the Seconds.
Rhodes said: “He is an excellent batter-wicket-keeper – another all-rounder who has had it tough in the sense that he came through our system and did trial at various other places.
“But it is nice to see that he is doing really well here and he is verymuch part of our set-up.
“Could he push for a first team place as a batsman? Definitely. He bats in the top six in the second team and has done very well so he is definitely a person that will be pushing some of the guys in the first team.”
Ashwin underwent his first practice session with his new team-mates today ahead of his debut after flying into England on Friday evening.
Rhodes said: “It is great for Worcestershire supporters. I’m sure there will be a lot of Indian people in the county and even further afield who would love to come and watch him play.
“Please come down and he has got three games at home and that is wonderful for the club.”
Worcestershire have three of their final four Championship matches at home as they look to secure a fifth promotion in 11 years – the others being in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2014.
Rhodes said: “Is three out of four games at home an advantage? You might say it is an advantage because we know our wickets, we know our conditions, so you could say it is an advantage.”
Worcestershire (from):
Mitchell
D’Oliveira
Fell
Clarke
Rhodes
Ashwin
Cox
Barnard
Leach
Tongue
Brown
Milton
Scrimshaw
