RV Ashwin becomes first spinner to open the bowling

Ravichandran Ashwin will play only one match for Surrey before joining the rest of the Indian squad in London

veteran India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin made history on Sunday as he became the first spinner to bowl the first over in a County Championship match in 11 years when he started the proceedings for Surrey against Somerset at The Oval.

Ashwin, who decided to play for Surrey to prepare for next months Test series against England, opened the bowling for Surrey after Somerset captain James Hildreth won the toss and elected to bat first.

Ashwin, who replaced the injured Kyle Jamieson for this game, gave away just 2 runs from the first over of the match bowled to Somerset openers Devon Conway and Steven Davies.

The off-spinner later picked up the wicket of No.3 batsman Tom Lammonby for 42 in the 40th over to reduce Somerset to 113 for 3.

? Dont leave those.

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— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 11, 2021

Somerset reached 197 for 3 at Tea on Day 1 with captain Hildreth (55) and Lewis Goldsworthy (32) unbeaten at the crease. Ashwin had figures of 1 for 58 from 24 overs before the players broke for tea.

Ashwin has played for Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire in the County Championships in the past. He joins Hashim Amla as the second overseas player for Surrey in their final Group 2 match.

R Ashwin has been in England along with the rest of Indias Test squad after the World Test Championship final last month. Ashwin was vacationing with his family and even caught up with Wimbledon action from the All England Club earlier this week.

R Ashwin will play only one match for Surrey as he will join the rest of the Indian squad, who were given a 20-day break, to gear up for the 4-Test series against England, starting August 4. Ashwin has been named in Surreys 13-man squad for the fixture.

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