Indian off-spinner R Ashwin is likely to play a County game for Surrey before England test
The Indian off-spinner R Ashwin could be in line to play a County game for Surrey against Somerset which would begin from 11th July. Before R Ashwin can look forward to this, it is clearly understood the off-spinner should have a work visa to proceed with his commitment to Surrey.
In the current scenario, BCCI and ECB look confident in acquiring the visa for 34 years off-spinner to play. The Ashwin has played for Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire by picking 20 and 34 wickets respectively. And now he is currently on a break along with the squad.
If he does the play the game -Which will be held at the Oval. Ashwin will be on an assignment from July 11 to July 14. It will be the same day when this match ends and also the day where the team has to re-assemble in the bio-bubble before the start of the 5-match test series against England from August 04. The fourth test of the series will be held at the Oval.
If you go according to the original schedule, India seems to not have any practice match going into the Test Series. After the defeat of the WTC Final against New Zealand, reports stated that the BCCI has requested the ECB to arrange a couple of first-class matches. With this keeping in mind, we can expect this Indian team to play a practice match. This practice will be starting from the third week of July and it is against select County 11.
The dates of the practice match are not being finalized yet. But it can be expected to start between July 20 and July 22. There will be players from order County teams to give the Indian team a much-needed warm-up ahead big series.
The ECB spokesperson told that “We are much aware of the BCCI to play a three-day warm match against the County Select 11 as a part of Men’s Test team’s build-up to the five-match Test series”.
The ECB also stated that “We are working through the operations and COVID-191 protocols to ensure we can deliver this and will confirm in due course. The Indian team will be on pre-test camp from 15 July and do their preparation until the 1st of August heading to the Tent Bridge and Nottinghamshire ahead of the Test series starting on August 04.