Worcestershire Keen On Getting Top Indian Test Cricketers For The Upcoming County Championship
Apr 6, 2019 at 2:09 PM
The Story
County cricket is where players from the sub-continent hone their skills. It is the place where the “potential superstars” transform themselves into “all-season” cricketers who can boast of having the confidence of playing in any part of the world in any condition.
From the past, Zaheer Khan has credited the county stint for improvement in his form and was a part of county cricket representing Worcestershire during the 2006 season as a replacement for Nathan Bracken.
Indian participation at County level has been regular but also limited at the same time in comparison to other nations. It’s mainly due to the packed cricketing calendar. However, a regular stream of players does visit the county regularly.
Kohli and Ashwin could possibly be in line for a county stint
The county scene may see some the flux of Indian stars star players in the County Championship this season. If the reports are believed to be true, India’s two premier spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja could follow Zaheer Khan’s path and join county Worcestershire as the club has expressed interest in roping in the two top Test bowlers in the world, ESPNcricinfo reported on Saturday.
As per the report, the first-class counties are looking for Indian players and Worcestershire, in particular, has shown interest may get them aboard to play the last few weeks of the competition.
BCCI yet to decide
The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) remains the final decision maker regarding this matter. The Indian Cricket Team has a packed schedule with Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
The timetable allows a small window, fortunately, that may convince the apex cricket board to send the players to the UK.
Virat Kohli and Co. are currently busy with the Sri Lanka tour which will end on September 6. It will be by Australia’s tour of India but the fixtures of that tour are still not confirmed. Indian players may be available for final three rounds of County Championships if the Aussies come visiting in October.
The decision to send top names for a brief county stint could prove to be useful keeping in mind that India tour England next year. Virat Kohli has also expressed that he “would love” to be part of county cricket, it may pave way for players in county cricket.
Che Pujara may get an extended stay with the Notts
The report also confirmed that Nottinghamshire is also looking to re-sign Cheteshwar Pujara. He played a crucial role in Notts win against Gloucestershire scoring a hundred.