India star Ravi Ashwin signs for Nottinghamshire

Ravichandran Ashwin will join Nottinghamshire for the second half of the County Championship season.

Ashwin is India’s fourth leading wicket taker of all time in the
Test arena having claimed 342 scalps at an average of 25.43, including 26
five-wicket hauls.

The off-spinning all-rounder, who will take over as overseas
player from James Pattinson at the end of June, is expected to feature in six
of the final seven red ball matches.

Ashwin’s stint will start at home against Essex on Sunday 30 June, followed by matches against Somerset and Surrey.

“We knew what we wanted to sign and that was a world-class bowler,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket, Mick Newell.

“Whether that was a fast or a slow bowler, we were prepared to
look at all options.

“As it happens, we’ve signed a very good spinner, a very experienced
spinner and one we hope can contribute with the bat as well.

“We’ve seen world-class slow bowlers have a huge match-winning
effect in county cricket over many years.

“Ravi certainly has that potential – and we’re very much looking
forward to welcoming him to the squad and letting him loose on our opposition.”

Ashwin’s Nottinghamshire stint will be his second in county cricket after featuring in four matches for Worcestershire in 2017.

Enjoying the late summer English conditions, the Chennai born twirler
took 20 wickets at 29.15 for the Pears including 5-68 against Gloucestershire,
as well as notching 214 runs at an average of 42.8.

“I’m really looking forward to joining up with Nottinghamshire, to
playing cricket at an iconic venue like Trent Bridge and hopefully contributing
to some County Championship victories,” said Ashwin.

“I enjoyed my previous stint in England with Worcestershire. It’s
a good, competitive standard of cricket over there and I can’t wait to get
started.”