India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could play for Surrey in the County Championship before India’s five-match Test series against England. The series starts on August 4 and Ashwin is looking to play for Surrey in a match that starts on July 11.
Ashwin may play for Surrey
If he is able to get the visa for Surrey’s game against Somerset at The Oval, Ashwin will get valuable match practice before the five-Test series against India starting August 4.
According to a report, Ashwin is only waiting for a work visa for his participation to be confirmed. While the spinner has been in England since last month as part of the Indian team that played in the World Test Championship final, he will need a work visa to play in the County Championship.
Both Surrey and Ashwin are reportedly confident that the visa will be confirmed before the start of Surrey’s game. They face Somerset in a game that is scheduled to end on July 14, which is also the day that the Indian team will get back together.
It was earlier reported that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is preparing to put together a ‘Select County XI’ who will play India in a warm-up match. Tentative dates for the three-day game, which will be accorded first-class status, is between July 20-22.
“We are working through the operations and COVID-19 protocols to ensure we are able to deliver this and will confirm in due course. The Indian Test team will report to Emirates Riverside, Durham for their pre-Test camp on 15 July and will prepare at the venue until August 1 before heading to Trent Bridge, Nottingham ahead of the first Test starting on August 4,” said an ECB spokesperson.
Ashwin has represented Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire in the past.
