Worcestershire team director lauds Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian ace Ravichandran Ashwin who was rested by the Indian selectors for the extended limited overs season at home made use of the time featuring for Worcestershire in the English county season. He played four games for them towards the end of the season and helped his team lift the Division two title. Ashwin didn’t just made contributions with the ball but also played a crucial part for them with the bat.

After the conclusion of their first association, Worcestershire’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes lauded the impact Ashwin had for the team. In his debut game against Gloucestershire, he picked 8 wickets and scored 64 runs. Eventually, he went on to pick 20 wickets in four games and scored 214 runs off which the best was 82 in the final game against Durham.

Rhodes emphasised that having Ashwin in the dressing room was a positive impact and the team was lifted to have someone who was the ICC Cricketer of the Year last season play for them.

Brilliant cricketer

“It was a massive surprise to the dressing room that we managed to get such a brilliant cricketer to come and be our overseas player. Just that alone is enough to lift the boys,” Rhodes said. “His character, the way he plays his cricket, was another good reason for lifting the rest of the dressing room so he has played a major part,” he was quoted by worcesterobserver.co.uk as saying.

The team director was overall impressed by the work ethic Ashwin showed and also praised his understanding of the game and positive approach to whatever he walks out to do.

“You watch him go out and bat and he is very positive. You watch him bowl and he is very positive in his efforts and what he tries to do. He speaks and talks a very good game but he should do because he is very experienced and has done some amazing things in international cricket,” Rhodes added.